City of St. Louis

Gutters in Soulard

Soulard sits near the Mississippi in south St. Louis, around its farmers market and within sight of the Anheuser-Busch brewery. Many of its houses date from the mid to late 1800s, packed tightly together in brick, so a gutter job here is often as much about masonry and access as about metal.

Place: Soulard, St. Louis
County: City of St. Louis
ZIP codes: 63104
Landmarks: Soulard Farmers Market, Lynch Street, South Eighth Street

The houses

Mid to late 1800s brick, with row homes and small apartment buildings north of Lynch Street and two-family buildings mixed in. Star-shaped anchor plates on the walls are a common sight. Look up before you plan: many roofs end in old cornices, and a built-in box gutter may be hiding behind one.

The trees

Street trees are fewer than in the leafy suburbs, but one tree over a row of low roofs still fills several gutters. Rear yards and alleys often collect windblown leaves, and flat rear sections can gather grit and shingle granules.

Ground and water

Lots are narrow and side gangways are tight, so a downspout emptying between two houses can wet both walls. Older connections into the ground are worth tracing, because the sewer district wants downspouts out of sanitary lines.

Worth checking

Check whether the cornice hides a box gutter, because a failed one sends water straight into the top of the wall.
Check where downspout straps are fixed, since old soft brick and mortar need a careful hand.
Trace any downspout that disappears into the ground, in case it ties into the sewer lateral.
Look at what a downspout does in a narrow gangway during a hard rain.

Permits

Soulard is one of the city's certified local historic districts. City guidance says gutter and downspout work there requires approval from the City of St. Louis Cultural Resources Office, (314) 657-3865. Call before you pick a profile.

Work you can ask for in Soulard

Also: Seamless gutters, Replacement, Downspouts, Fascia & soffit, Box gutters, Half-round & copper, Storm damage, Commercial.

On the map

Map of Soulard
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Nearby

Soulard: questions

Who does gutter work in Soulard?

Independent local contractors. Gutter Installation St. Louis is a referral service: we pass your request on, and a contractor who can take the job contacts you directly. We don't do the work ourselves, and contractors may pay us a referral fee.

Who do I ask about a permit in Soulard?

What should I check first on a Soulard house?

Check whether the cornice hides a box gutter, because a failed one sends water straight into the top of the wall.

Place facts read from this reference and the official sources named on this page. Check ZIP codes and permit rules with the office named above.