Gutter Hanger Types: Why Plastic Hangers Always Fail
Everything Gutter president Jimmy DeHart Sr. shows what happens when gutters are hung with cheap plastic brackets, and explains why aluminum reinforced hangers at the correct spacing are the only hardware that belongs on a gutter system.
A homeowner called Everything Gutter about a problem that sounded complicated: gutters overflowing in some sections, pulling away from the fascia in others, and water damming up instead of draining to the downspouts. The homeowner could not tell whether the gutters needed replacing or whether there was a simpler fix.
Jimmy found a problem common enough to be predictable. The gutters were seamless aluminum in decent shape, with no major corrosion or damage. But nearly every plastic hanger securing them had failed. The gutters were not the problem; the hardware holding them up was.
Why Plastic Gutter Hangers Fail
Jimmy gives plastic hangers one star, if that. They face the full range of outdoor conditions: summer heat that pushes fascia temperatures past 100 degrees, winter cold that makes plastic brittle, and constant UV radiation. Over time the plastic develops micro-cracks and either cracks through or loses its grip on the screw.
On this house, Jimmy found hangers spaced as far as seven feet apart in places, far beyond any manufacturer’s recommendation. Even quality hangers would struggle at that spacing under a full rain load. Every plastic hanger he checked had failed, so the gutters were resting on whatever attachment remained.
How One Failed Hanger Becomes Many
A failed hanger does more than let the gutter sag. A sagging gutter loses its slope, so water pools instead of flowing to the downspout. The pooled water adds weight, which stresses the remaining hangers and speeds their failure, and it traps debris that would otherwise wash through.
A gutter pulling away from the fascia also opens a gap where water runs behind the gutter and down the house, leading to fascia rot, soffit damage, and foundation problems. Our guide to drip edge and gutter leaks explains how to tell that kind of leak from a roof-edge problem.
What to Use Instead
Jimmy’s recommendation is aluminum reinforced hangers, sometimes called quick-screw or hidden hangers. They hook into the front lip of the gutter and screw directly into the fascia. Because they are aluminum, they do not rust, crack, or degrade in sunlight, and because they are rigid, they hold the gutter at the correct slope even under a full rain load.
They are no harder to install than plastic hangers, and choosing plastic saves perhaps $20 to $50 on an average house. For that small saving, the homeowner gets hardware that is likely to fail within years instead of decades.
How Far Apart Gutter Hangers Should Be
Spacing matters as much as material. The standard recommendation is a hanger about every 24 inches, and closer, around 18 inches, in heavy-snow and ice regions. Some manufacturers allow up to 36 inches in mild climates, but at the seven-foot spacing Jimmy found, a gutter is essentially unsupported.
Older homes may still have spike and ferrule gutters, which loosen in the same way. Our look at replacing gutters during a roof replacement explains why those systems rarely survive a roof job.
Other Problems Found During the Inspection
Unsealed end caps. The end caps had never been properly sealed, or the sealant had degraded. They need quality gutter sealant, which should be inspected and renewed every few years.
Damming. In one section, debris, standing water, and lost slope had created a blockage that forced water to back up and spill over the edge.
The Good News: Repair, Not Replacement
These problems were repairable. The seamless aluminum gutters were sound, the seams were intact, and the downspouts worked. The fix was replacing the failed hangers with aluminum ones at the correct spacing, resealing the end caps, and cleaning the channels.
For a few hundred dollars in hardware and labor, the homeowner got gutters that would work correctly for years, instead of paying several thousand for a replacement that was not needed. Our gutter repair cost guide lists typical prices for hanger and end cap repairs.
Final Thoughts
Gutters that sag, overflow, or pull away are often a hardware problem, not a gutter problem. Aluminum hidden hangers at about 24-inch spacing are inexpensive insurance. Our complete guide to gutters covers the rest of the system.
Homeowners in the West Grove, Pennsylvania area can reach Jimmy DeHart Sr. and Everything Gutter at everythinggutter.com. Everywhere else, Home Upgrade Pros connects homeowners with licensed gutter contractors for free, no-obligation assessments, or call (725) 278-6174.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far apart should gutter hangers be spaced?
About every 24 inches, and closer, around 18 inches, in heavy-snow areas. Jimmy DeHart found hangers seven feet apart on one service call, far too wide to support the gutter under rain or snow.
Are plastic gutter hangers ever acceptable?
Jimmy gives them a one-star rating. They turn brittle from UV exposure and temperature swings, crack, and fail. Aluminum reinforced hangers cost marginally more and last the life of the gutter.
Can you salvage gutters with failed hangers?
Yes, if the gutters are in good condition. Replace the failed hangers with aluminum ones, correct the spacing, reseal the end caps, and clean the channels. That repair costs a few hundred dollars versus several thousand for full replacement.
What are hidden gutter hangers?
Aluminum brackets that hook into the front lip of the gutter and screw into the fascia, hidden from view inside the gutter.
