Do Roofers Remove Gutters? We Climb On The Roof To Find Out

When replacing your roof, you may also consider having the gutters replaced. Is it necessary? Not always, but that depends on the gutter system’s state and how the gutters are attached.

You must consider the cost of gutter removal, which is separate from the actual roofing. But do you have to pay separately for both services? Do roofers remove gutters?

Roofers can remove your gutters. Some roofing companies have an in-house guttering department with gutter removal and installation expertise. However, if the roofing company also offers gutter removal, you must pay for each service independently. 

In this guide, we will look at whether roofers remove gutters and if they can install them. And also, do you need to remove gutters to replace a roof?

Do Gutters Need To Be Removed To Replace A Roof?

Most of the time, you will not need to remove your gutters to replace the roof. However, on that note, there are exceptions to it; here are some situations where you will need to remove the gutters to replace your roof:

If The Gutters Are Attached To The Roof

Gutters are attached to the fascia board, which carries the weight of the guttering. The gutters attach to the fascia using fascia gutter brackets. The fascia board itself directly connects to the roof’s lower edge.

Since the fascia board is a part of the roof, you must remove it. Removing the fascia board translates to dismantling the guttering. It is impossible to remove the fascia without removing the gutters because the fascia is the mount for the guttering system.

When The Gutters Are Old Or Damaged

Damage to gutters occurs when they begin to sag under the weight of debris, leaves, and sticks accumulated over time. If you do not regularly clean your gutters, they are likely to warp or sag, making them ineffective.

Also, during cleaning, you must be gentle and careful not to put too much pressure on the gutters. 

If the roofers find your gutters damaged, they have to remove them. That is because damaged gutters tend to cause water buildup on the roof. Water buildup will result in leaks in the roof over time. That beats the purpose of installing a new roof only for the gutters to cause water buildup, resulting in leaks.

A roof’s lifespan is estimated to be between 15 and 30 years, depending on the material. Gutters need replacing every 20 years if they are aluminum or galvanized steel. Copper gutters can go for even longer, up to 50 years.

Old gutters may have deteriorated over the years, rendering them ineffective. Here are seven signs that roofers will look out for to determine whether your gutters are old or damaged:

• Water damage on the roof
• Watermarks on the section directly under the gutters
• Paint damage or peeling around the guttering
• Mildew or water pools around the building’s foundations
• Flecks of orange around the gutters
• Sagging gutters
• Gutters that have pulled away from the fascia board

If The Gutters Are Not The Right Fit For The New Roof

There are three options when it comes to types of gutters. They are:

1. Half-round gutters
2. K-style gutters
3. Custom gutters

However, not all are a good fit for you. 

For example, half-round gutters are not ideal for areas that experience a lot of rain because they cannot hold much water like the K-style gutters. Also, the half-round gutters do not sit flush against the fascia board.

When roofers encounter gutters that do not work effectively for the house, they will advise you to remove the guttering.

In some cases, you may want to use custom gutters, but they may not fit seamlessly into each other because of your chosen roofing system. In this scenario, the roofers will also advise against these gutters.

When You Have Poorly Installed Gutters

If you install gutters improperly in the first place, they will not work efficiently. Also, when the gutters sit at the wrong angle, they will not move water as they should.

When these things are not set to standard, your gutter doesn’t function right. It is an exercise in futility for the roofers even to install a new roof. That is because the gutter will cause water buildup, ruining your new roof quickly.

Recommended Reading: Are Gutter Guards Worth It or a Waste of Money? We Ask the Pros

Do Roofers Also Install Gutters After Roof Replacement?

If the roofing company has a gutter division, they will upsell that service to you. However, it is essential to note that the roofers will not install the gutters but the gutter experts within the company. Ask the company to show you their work in guttering before you settle for their services.

The roofing company sometimes subcontracts the guttering services to a gutter company.

Let roofing technicians install the gutters is not advisable because guttering is a delicate craft. Ensure you see the necessary licenses and talk to a few customers using the company’s guttering service. 

If the roofing company has shown that it can handle the installation of gutters to your satisfaction, it may be in your best interest to work with them.

Should You Get Your Gutters From A Roofing Company?

It Is Convenient

Working with the same team is more convenient if the roofing company provides guttering services as part of their package. You do not have to look separately for gutter and roofing companies.

That cuts down the amount of time you spend vetting each company.

The Work Is Done Simultaneously

Having the roofing company handle your roof replacement and guttering simultaneously means the work moves faster. 

The two teams work in tandem and with coordination. For example, the guttering team could remove the gutter while the roofing technicians work on an already de-guttered roof section. And since the work is moving fast, you are billed for fewer hours.

You Don’t Have To Postpone Gutter Work

If you work with two companies for roofing and guttering, you may have to postpone one job until the other is complete.

That is because the schedules for each company vary, and when one is available, the other is not. The customer feels the clash in schedules.

However, if you get gutters and roof replacement from one company, the teams synchronize their schedules to accommodate the client. You don’t have to postpone one job to do the other.

Why To Not Get Your Gutters From A Roofing Company

They May Offer Limited Choices

Unlike gutter companies dedicated to gutters, roofing companies are more dedicated to roofing options. That means that their options for gutters may be limited. As a result, they may offer you options that do not fit your needs.

Also, the gutters from the roofing company may be of poor quality, but you will not know that until the rainy season comes around. Unfortunately, the labor warranty period may have elapsed by the time it is the rainy season.

They May Be Upselling A Service You Do Not Need

Many roofing companies with a gutter division will upsell their guttering service to any client needing roof replacement before seeing the gutters.

Your gutters may be functional and in good shape, but the roofers advise you to remove them. However, gutter companies will check the gutters and give you options that may entail not removing them.

For example, the gutter company may advise you to protect the gutters by 

The Workmanship May Be Inferior

You may be taking a chance with the quality of work you expect from a roofer installing your gutters. They may not have the level of expertise that will guarantee you the best gutters. 

It is costly to get a job of that magnitude done by someone who doesn’t know how to do it. 

The work that goes into the gutter installation is quite involved and needs proper planning. One should not do it in a hurry or with poor-quality materials.

How Much Does it Cost To Rehang Gutters?

The average cost of gutters in the United States is roughly $3000 for a house of less than 2,400 square feet. That is assuming you are using aluminum gutters. 

Install galvanized steel gutters will be cheaper, costing you $1900 for the average-sized American home of around 2000 square feet.

Copper gutters are the most expensive option because they last for a long time, even up to six decades or more, with proper care. For a 2000 square feet house, you can expect to spend between $3500 and $8000. When using copper gutters, you cannot mix them with any other metal. It has to be copper all the way, which makes it more expensive.

For the amounts mentioned, you will get gutters running throughout the length of your roof and downspouts that attach to the guttering.

Can Roofers Remove The Roof Without Removing The Gutters

Can you find yourself in a scenario where the roof needs replacing but not the gutters? Yes. 

If your gutter features durable material like copper or recently installed new gutters, you do not need to replace them.

The roofer can remove the roof without interfering with the gutter if they do not remove the fascia board beneath the roof. In this case, your gutters can be left intact.

If the roofing technician is sure that they will not interfere with the gutters, you can protect your guttering by 

• Covering them properly
• Asking the technician to avoid that section of the roof
• Banning any ladders from leaning on them

However, if you have a tiled roof or any metal roof, you must remove it and the gutters. If you keep the guttering on, you will compromise the integrity of your roof.

A majority of contractors agree that it is always best to remove the gutters during a roof replacement. That is why they advise you to replace your roof first and do the gutters. Alternatively, you can do the two simultaneously. 

Removing the gutters is a smart move for the following reasons:

Removal Keeps The Gutters Intact

During the roof removal, it is easy for the gutters to get damaged in the process. It is also possible to damage the gutters when re-installing the roof.

Unfortunately, the roofers can also cause damage as they walk on the roof or accidentally step onto the gutters. From dents that warp the gutter to unsightly scratches, your gutters will suffer if they are in place during roof replacement.

You Can Re-install Them Properly

When re-installing the gutters, you can deal with the minor issues that make the system ineffective. For example, you can correct the gutters’ pitch or lay them flush against the wall as they should be.

The gutter is an outdoor system that doesn’t have protection from the elements. It faces brutal conditions and has an even more difficult job ferrying water, frost, and snow away from your walls and foundation. With time they need attention and repair.

Removing them allows you to inspect and rectify areas that need a boost.

Allows The Roofing Technician To Seal The Roof Properly

With the gutters in place, the technician may miss resealing areas. But with the gutters off, the team can give the entire roof the best sealing to mitigate leakages.

Proper sealing ensures that the roof, the guttering, and the upper section of your housework work cohesively, keeping out water, snow, frost, and animals that can cause damage.

Overall, it is best to remove gutters before you begin replacing the roof.

Should You Trust The Roofer With Your Gutters?

You can trust roofers only if they have proven they can do the job and have the relevant licenses, warranties, and insurance coverage. 

Roofers can remove gutters, but you must research before letting anyone near your guttering system. A roofing company offering gutter services may sound ideal, but if they do a shoddy job, they may cost you far more than hiring a separate gutter company.