Do Roofing Companies Do Gutters Too?

While they may not interact directly with your roof, your gutters have a lot to do with the health of what is essentially your home’s first defense against rain. Gutters are a complex and sometimes challenging part of the house that many homeowners would instead choose to ignore than fix. However, asking a roofing contractor if they can help replace the home’s gutter system will often be met with confirmation (although it is up to the individual contractor and their specific qualifications). Most roofing contractors are trained to deal with gutters, as they are an essential part of the roof itself.

There are several reasons to have a contractor replace the gutter system when the roof requires extensive repairs or replacement.

Benefits of a Gutter Evaluation

Removing and replacing the gutters around your home allows the contractor to perform a thorough investigation of the roof’s health. Common pests such as raccoons, squirrels, or invasive insects can get into the attic space through welcoming holes that are hidden to the untrained eye. These entrance points are easier to identify and seal once the gutters have been removed. Leaks are another common problem that can be solved by replacing your gutters. The entire point of a gutter is to direct water and debris away from your roof and your home to prevent water from pooling, building up, then infiltrating your attic, walls, and basement/crawlspace. The same holes that allow creatures to crawl into the attic space enable water to seep in. Replacing defective gutters ensures that water will be directed away from the house and removes a significant cause of interior water damage.

Finding the Perfect Fit

When replacing a roof, a roofing contractor keeps the gutters in mind for a few reasons. Different types of roofing materials have unique dimensions and requirements, and the old gutter system would have been installed with the previous roof in mind, not the new one. This is why roofing companies often do gutter work. They want to ensure that their customers get a reliable roof that will last as long as possible, and old gutters may stand in the way of that goal. If the gutter system and roof were to mismatch, problems might arise. One significant example is the ability for water to get into the walls. An improper fit makes an ineffective seal, allowing water to seep into small gaps and holes, as mentioned previously. Once the water has infiltrated the home, it can lead to a buildup of mold and pose a severe health concern, and cause hidden water damage that can structurally weaken your walls.

It is always ideal to replace your gutters along with your roof. The roofing contractor will be able to look for any hidden damage from general wear and tear and then replace it accordingly. It also allows the roofing contractors to be sure they install a roof that will last decades, all the while creating perfect seals where an old gutter system may have prevented them from doing so