Gutter Installation in Scranton & Wilkes-Barre, PA

Local know-how

Gutters in Scranton & Wilkes-Barre: what local homeowners should know

Northeastern Pennsylvania’s older housing – many homes date from the coal-mining era – often has tired, patched gutters and steep roofs. Replacing them with seamless aluminum and oversized downspouts is one of the most common exterior projects in the region.

Snow and ice are a real factor here. Gutters need solid hangers spaced closely to carry snow load, and guards that keep leaves out before winter help prevent frozen, overflowing gutters.

Key facts: gutters in Scranton & Wilkes-Barre, PA

• Typical cost: HomeGuide puts seamless aluminum gutters at about $6 to $12 per linear foot installed nationally; local prices vary.
• Do gutter contractors need to be registered in Pennsylvania? Yes. Most home improvement contractors must register with the Attorney General under HICPA.
• How much snow does the Scranton area get? About 45 inches a year at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton airport under the 1991–2020 normals, with more in the Poconos.
• Common choice: seamless aluminum K-style gutters in 5- or 6-inch sizes; 6-inch with 3x4-inch downspouts for large roofs and heavy rain.
• How to get connected: call the number on this page and you are connected with an independent local installer who serves your ZIP code. The call is free and there is no obligation.

Updated November 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.

Snow, rain and river valleys

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton airport averages about 39 inches of precipitation a year and roughly 45 inches of snow under the 1991–2020 normals, with more snow in the Poconos and on the ridges. The Lackawanna and Susquehanna valleys have flood histories: Agnes in 1972 and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 brought record crests to the Susquehanna near Wilkes-Barre. Summer thunderstorms and slow-moving systems bring heavy local downpours on steep hillsides.

Older homes on steep streets

Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Hazleton and the valley towns are full of older homes: company-built doubles, Victorians and early 20th-century houses on narrow lots and steep streets. Many have slate or older asphalt roofs, built-in or half-round gutters and downspouts that disappear into old underground lines. On steep lots, roof water that is not carried away runs toward the downhill foundation and into basements. See gutters on historic homes and wet basement? check your gutters first.

Mine subsidence

Northeastern Pennsylvania sits over abandoned underground coal mines, from Susquehanna County through Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. When old mine workings collapse, the ground above can sink and damage homes. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection runs a Mine Subsidence Insurance program for homeowners over mined areas; according to DEP, residential coverage is inexpensive, on the order of tens of dollars a year for typical coverage amounts. Standard homeowners policies generally exclude earth movement.

Gutters do not cause mine subsidence, but water is part of the picture on disturbed ground: concentrated roof water can wash soil into voids and aggravate settlement. Spread downspout discharge out and carry it well away from the house. If cracks, sticking doors or depressions appear, contact DEP’s program.

Ice dams and snow load

Many older homes in the region have steep roofs, finished attics and limited insulation. Ice dams form at the eaves and pull gutters loose, and heavy snow in the Poconos adds weight. Hidden hangers about every 2 feet into sound fascia, heavier-gauge aluminum and correct slope help. See snow load and gutters and ice dams and gutters.

Poconos homes and trees

Vacation homes and year-round houses in the Poconos sit under oaks, maples and hemlocks, often with steep roofs and long runs. Gutters under trees clog quickly, and homes that sit empty for weeks may not be checked. Guards that shed snow and fasten down are the usual choice. See are gutter guards worth it?

Timing

Late summer and early fall are the best time to replace gutters in Northeastern Pennsylvania, before leaves and snow. Spring shows what winter did: bent hangers, sagging runs and gutters pulled off the fascia. Book early in both seasons, and for Pocono vacation homes, arrange a check after the first big storms.

Typical costs in Northeastern Pennsylvania

These are published cost figures for orientation only, not quotes. City averages include smaller jobs such as partial runs; a full seamless system on a large or two-story home usually lands at the upper end of the range or above. The installer you are connected with measures your home and gives you the actual price.

We did not find a reliable published average for the Scranton area. Compare the Lehigh Valley and our cost guide.

Pennsylvania contractor registration

Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act requires most home improvement contractors to register with the Attorney General. Contracts must be written and include the registration number, and you have three business days to cancel. Verify the registration before you sign, and ask about EPA lead-safe certification on pre-1978 homes, which covers most of the housing in the valley towns.

Choosing gutters and guards for a Northeastern PA home

• Hangers about every 2 feet for snow and ice: gutter hangers explained.
• Downhill discharge on steep lots: downspouts and drainage.
• Snow-friendly guards under trees: gutter guards.
• Half-round or built-in gutters on older homes: copper and half-round gutters.

Independent installers take calls from across Northeastern Pennsylvania, including Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Dunmore, Clarks Summit, Dickson City, Old Forge, Pittston, Kingston, Plains, Mountain Top, Hazleton, Carbondale, Honesdale, Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg, Tannersville and Tobyhanna.

Sources

• GLISA (University of Michigan): Wilkes-Barre/Scranton airport climate summary
• Pennsylvania DEP: Mine Subsidence Insurance
• National Weather Service State College: Tropical Storm Lee flooding (September 2011)
• University of Minnesota Extension: Dealing with and preventing ice dams
• Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General: Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act brochure
• U.S. EPA: Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule
• HomeGuide: Seamless gutters cost
• HouseLogic (National Association of Realtors): Types of gutters and costs
• Angi: How much do gutter guards cost?