Should I Let Roofers Reinstall My Gutters?
In case you are reading just for the answer, it is a resounding NO. But why is this the case? Most roofers are not trained or qualified to install gutters and ensure they function properly. In this day and age, we commonly repair and most often have to replace gutters that were reinstalled improperly by a roofing contractor. Most reputable roofing companies that do install gutters usually use a subcontractor or have trained gutter installers on staff, however.
So, what do we commonly see happen when a typical non-specialist roofing company reinstalls your gutters after getting a new roof?
- The gutters are not sloped correctly towards the downspouts.
- The gutters are not properly mounted using gutter hanger hardware and are instead installed using roofing nails shot to the home. More on this later.
- The gutter hangers are not properly spaced apart.
- The gutters overflow and leak whereas they did not before.
- Splash guards in large valleys are missing and cause water overflow during heavy downpours.
- Downspouts are not properly reconnected and leak.
Those are only the most common issues amongst others. So, lets say you are in this scenario and want to remove the roofer-reinstalled gutters and get all new ones. Well, if the roofers improperly nailed the gutters to your home, the chances are they laid the hard metal drip edge right over the nails. So, for the old gutters to be removed, the nail has to be removed from behind a hard steel drip edge which is costly to the homeowner in labor. This is why item #2 above is so critical. Nailing gutters with roofing nails to your home WILL cause issues down the road.
The moral of the story is this: if you are getting a new roof and already have gutters installed, call a seamless gutter company to have them remove and reinstall the gutters after the roof is complete. Or, if your gutters need to be replaced anyway, have the roofers leave them off or haul them away.
If you are in need of seamless gutter or drainage services, give us a call today at 850-343-3228 or visit us online at https://www.martinsseamlessgutters.com/contact/
