Spouting does one job: catch the water coming off the roof and get it to the downpipes before it spills against the walls, floods the garden beds or backs up into the roof space. When spouting is undersized, poorly graded, rusted or blocked, that job fails at exactly the moment it matters, in the middle of a heavy downpour.
We replace and repair spouting on homes and small commercial buildings across Auckland, in pre-painted steel and PVC, as well as internal and box gutters on more complex roofs. Spouting is often replaced at the same time as a re-roof, since the scaffold is already up and the new roof and gutters can be matched in colour. We also replace the downpipes and fascia that go with it.
Pricing: every roof gets a free on-site measure and an itemised written quote, with a fixed price agreed before any work starts.
Trouble with the boards behind the spouting or the pipes that carry the water away? See downpipes and fascia.
Signs your spouting needs replacing
Small leaks at joints can be repaired, but some problems mean the system has reached the end of its life or was never right for the roof:
- Water spilling over the front of the gutter in heavy rain, even when it is clean
- Rust holes, pin-holing or flaking paint along the bottom of steel spouting
- Brittle, cracked or faded PVC, and joints that keep leaking after resealing
- Water lying in the gutter days after rain, which points to poor fall or sagging brackets
- Stains or moss on the cladding below the gutter line
- Damp or rot in the fascia board behind the spouting
Sizing spouting for Auckland rain
Gutter capacity is a calculation, not a guess. Under the Building Code's surface water clause, external gutters are sized using the rainfall intensity of a short, heavy storm for the site, the area of roof draining to each section of gutter, and the number and position of downpipes. BRANZ recommends using the actual sloping roof area rather than the flat plan area, because a steeper roof catches more wind-driven rain, and it notes that a higher design intensity than the basic minimum is needed in many parts of the country.
Auckland is one of the regions where BRANZ has highlighted heavy short-duration rainfall. In practice that means a large or steep roof draining to one downpipe often needs a bigger gutter profile, an extra downpipe, or both. When we quote, we measure each roof plane and check that the spouting and downpipe layout can carry the water, rather than simply matching what was there before.
How It Works
Steel or PVC spouting
Both materials are widely used on New Zealand homes, and both last well when they are installed and maintained properly. The better choice depends on your roof, your exposure and how the house looks.
- Pre-painted steel: strong, available in profiles and colours that match COLORSTEEL roofing, and joined with fewer seams
- PVC: light, does not rust, and suits many homes in sheltered locations
- Coastal sites: material and maintenance need to suit the exposure, and steel products carry washing requirements by environment
- Profile: quarter round, half round, box and fascia gutters change both capacity and appearance
Internal and box gutters
Internal gutters sit inside the line of the walls, often behind a parapet or between two roof planes. If they overflow, the water goes straight into the building. BRANZ recommends sizing internal gutters on a higher rainfall intensity than external gutters, and good practice is to include an overflow so that a blockage spills outside. Many leaks we trace in 1990s and 2000s homes come from internal gutters with too little capacity and no overflow. Fixing them can involve membrane or folded steel lining, which links to our membrane roofing work.
If you have a home with internal gutters and a history of unexplained ceiling stains, a roof inspection is a sensible first step before any work is quoted.
What affects the cost of new spouting
Spouting is priced per metre plus fittings, but the total depends on more than length. Your itemised quote shows the material and profile, the number of corners, stopends and outlets, how many downpipes are added or replaced, whether fascia repairs are needed, access and scaffolding for two-storey sections, and removal of the old system. Bundling spouting with a re-roof shares the scaffold cost across both jobs.
Consent and compliance
Replacing spouting with a comparable product in the same position is generally covered by the Schedule 1 exemption for repair and replacement. New spouting still has to meet the Building Code, including carrying water to an approved outfall. Changing where stormwater discharges, or connecting into the public stormwater network, can bring in other requirements, which we flag in the quote if they apply.
Why Choose Cheeky's Roofers for Spouting and Gutters
Sized, not copied
We check gutter and downpipe capacity against the roof area rather than replacing like with like by default.
Overflow thinking
On internal and box gutters we plan where water will go if an outlet blocks, so it ends up outside the house.
Matched to your roof
Steel spouting can be matched in colour to new COLORSTEEL roofing for a finished look.
Fascia checked as standard
We inspect the fascia behind the old spouting and quote any repair before the new system goes on.
Spouting and Gutters FAQs
How do I know if my spouting is too small?
If it overflows at the front in heavy rain while it is clean and clear, it is likely undersized for the roof area or short of downpipes. We check capacity against the roof area during the measure.
Is steel or PVC spouting better?
Both are common and durable when installed well. Steel can be colour-matched to COLORSTEEL roofing and suits larger profiles. PVC does not rust. We recommend based on your roof and exposure.
Should I replace spouting when I re-roof?
Often it makes sense, because the scaffold is already up and the new spouting can be matched to the new roof. If your spouting is sound and recent, we will say so.
Do I need consent to replace spouting?
Like-for-like replacement is generally exempt under Schedule 1. Changes to how stormwater is discharged can bring other requirements, which we flag if they apply.
Why does my internal gutter leak inside the house?
Internal gutters are inside the wall line, so any overflow goes into the building. Common causes are undersized gutters, blocked outlets and no overflow. These need a proper redesign, not just a patch.
How often should spouting be cleaned?
At least once a year, and more often under trees. Leaves and moss block outlets and hold moisture against the gutter, which shortens its life.
Spouting and Gutters by Area
Local spouting and gutters information for your part of Auckland:
Related Roofing Services
Spouting and Gutters Guides
- How to Remove Moss and Lichen From Your Roof (NZ Guide)
- How to Clean Your Gutters Safely (and How Often)
- Spouting Replacement Cost in NZ: Steel vs PVC
See the re-roofing cost guide or every service we offer.