Internal Gutter Conversions

Replacing an internal gutter with an external one is a great way to add value to your home and increase your peace of mind. It’s also a project that can be completed in a couple of days, so you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of your new gutter right away.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of converting an internal gutter to an external one. We’ll also provide some tips for ensuring a smooth installation.

The Problem With Internal Gutters

Why Convert an Internal Gutter to an External Gutter?

There are a few reasons why you might want to convert an internal gutter to an external spouting system.

The most obvious reason is that internal gutters can leak, which can cause water damage to your home. External gutters, on the other hand, are much more likely to keep water away from your home and prevent leaks.

Internal gutter failure can cause pricey repair work, a disruption to your daily life, and damage to your house structure. Problems tend to occur worst at peak precipitation, which is why you’re better off dealing with the problem before it happens rather again than waiting for the next big rainstorm.

Internal gutters are often low-lying and can become damaged, blocked, or even collapse. When they become damaged or blocked, water can pool and be left with nowhere else to go but inside the building. This will eventually cause dampness, mould, and rot within the home. 

When this happens, you will need to repair or replace the gutters as well as repair the damage caused to the frame and gib board inside the house.

Homes That Are Prone to Leaky Internal Gutter Systems

Internal gutters were a very popular design option in New Zealand from the 1980s to the mid-2000s. The two leading supplier brands that are often failing today are Klass and Taylor fascia.

Taylor and Klass Fascia are two fascia brands that came on the market in the ‘90s and were designed to hide the spouting, or internal gutter, behind a metal fascia to create a clean visual line. 

The system was popular on new builds for some time, but the system comes with some inherent design faults that can, in certain circumstances, lead to water getting inside the house. 

What Causes Internal Gutter Failure

You’ve probably experienced minor leaks in your fascia system, but it’s likely you’ve never considered how those little leaks can lead to much larger issues such as leaks in your walls and ceiling.

A blockage in an internal rain gutter can restrict the amount of rain from going down the pipe. This usually becomes a problem when there is a heavy rain storm. If you have a light rain storm, the water will typically flow normally, which means the problem could continue to go unnoticed.

When the internal spouting is blocked, the only place for the water to go is into the house.

A leak can range from a few drops of water to a full flow of water, and all of this water can go unnoticed and wreak havoc for years to come. A properly functioning gutter will drain all of the rainwater from your roof safely. 

The most common causes of internal gutter failures are:

1. Poor design – lack of fall, insufficient outlets, no overflows, insufficient capacity, insufficient allowance for movement, joint failure
2. Incorrect material selection leading to a lack of durability and longevity
3. Poor installation
4. Lack of maintenance

The First Step to Prevent a Leaky Home

A good fascia and spouting maintenance plan is your first line of defense against a leaky home. 

We recommend that you carry out gutter maintenance twice a year. Once in the spring and again in autumn when trees have dropped their leaves before winter.

Internal Gutter Maintenance Plan

1. Clean and check gutters for blockages
2. Repair or replace damaged gutters
3. Clean and check fascia for corrosion or rot
4. Repair or replace damaged fascia
5. Check house structure for signs of water damage

Replace Your Internal Spouting System to Make Your Home Watertight

Leaks and overflows can become costly in the home. Problems typically show up during heavy rains, which are the worst possible months for homeowners to be vulnerable to such issues.

To stop the leak before it gets worse, you should replace your fascia system with a new external system that eliminates the possibility of water penetrating the building.

Repairing and replacing a leaking or broken internal gutter is a highly skilled job, and is best left to professionals.

We are fascia and spouting specialists who can convert your internal gutter systems into a modern external spouting system that meets the standards of design and quality seen in more upscale housing neighbourhoods. 

Our technicians have over 20 years of experience with all types of gutter and fascia installations. We know how to fix your fascia and spouting, so you don’t have to worry about it.

You should contact us if you need fascia and spouting replacement in the Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, or greater Western Bay of Plenty area.

5 Benefits of a New Fascia and Gutter System

1. Eliminate the risk of having a leaky home – replacing an old internal gutter system removes the risks associated with water penetrating the house structure.
2. Sell your home more easily – internal gutter systems are at the top of a home inspector’s mind when evaluating the condition of a home at the time of a sale. A gutter replacement gets rid of the risk of being flagged in a home inspection.
3. Improve your home’s external appearance – as trends have changed in the last 20 years internal gutters have become less desirable. 
4. Increase the value of your home – the external spouting options available today really enhance the look of a home.
5. Reduce your maintenance time and costs – by replacing your internal spouting system you’ll have a new fascia and gutter (with a warranty) that reduces the time and money you’ll need to spend for the next 10+ years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an internal gutter?

An internal gutter is a small channel, usually in a roof, that carries water that has been collected from the rain down to the ground. Internal gutters are more commonly used for commercial buildings, but can be found on some homes as well.

Internal gutter systems were popular on many New Zealand homes in the 1990s until the mid-2000s.

Can I replace internal gutters?

Generally no, you cannot replace the internal gutters yourself. Internal gutters are installed by a professional who needs to use properly assembled scaffolding around the house to do the work.

Internal gutters are not always installed the same way. Some houses have the gutters attached to the outside edge of the roof and some have them within the roof structure itself. 

The length and width of the gutters will depend on the roof and the type of roofing material. It is important to know that internal gutters do not work on all the different types of roofs.

How long does it take to replace fascia and guttering?

It usually takes at least 2-4 days for a contractor to complete the work once the materials are delivered to the job site.

Prior to doing the work, a project manager will visit the site, survey the house, order the correct materials, and schedule the delivery.

The duration and cost of the work will depend on the size of the house and how complicated the guttering and fascia replacement is.

Do you need scaffolding to replace guttering?

Yes. Most gutter replacements will require scaffolding. 

The two biggest benefits of scaffolding is that it makes the worksite safer and it typically lowers the cost of the job. The additional cost of scaffolding is made up for by the significant reduction in time needed to complete a job (reduced labour costs).

How long do gutters last on a house?

Gutters typically last between 10-20 years, depending on the location of the house. Some climates can be brutal to housing materials.

Guttering will also last longer if you perform basic maintenance on a regular basis.