Your Pets And Children
During construction, there is a chance debris may fall from your roof. This is a safety risk for your children and pets. You can keep everyone safe by explaining to your kids why they are unable to go outside. You can also set up areas where they can play safely. Your best option for pets is to put them in the quietest room in your home so they will not become stressed by the noise above.
Why Is My Roof Sagging
A sagging roof can be a symptom of a few severe issues such as:
- Water damage
- Excess weight sometimes caused by snow, ice, ponding water or heavy shingles
- Foundation issues
- Poor quality roofing materials
As soon as you notice a roof sag, contact a roofing professional. They can assess the cause of the problem and determine the structural integrity and your next steps.
Diy Roof Replacement Vs Hiring A Roofer
For homeowners looking at replacing their roof instead of hiring a professional, an asphalt roof will cost $3,000 less to $6,000 less . However, while small roof repairs are cheap and relatively easy to carry out by the homeowner, as long as safety precautions are taken, roofing a home is better done by professional roofers. The downsides of completing the work as a DIY project are:
- In removing the original roof, you may cause issues that will lead to leaks.
- Once the old roof is off, you could miss structural issues or things that will contribute to more leaks.
- You might not create a perfect weather seal to protect your home from the rain when installing the new roof.
- You could introduce issues that translate to increased utility costs from heating or cooling.
- You could fall from your roof.
- You could negatively impact the resale value of your home.
Your roof is the single biggest surface barrier between you and the elements. Given the importance of the roof, and the potential for significant problems, we suggest looking for bids from the roofing professionals we have on HomeGuide before making a final decision to do the work yourself.
Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted roofing companies:
Read Also: Replacing Roof Trusses
How Roof Replacement Affects Gutters
It is possible to leave the gutters installed during a roof replacement. But it is important to understand the impact of this decision. In fact, you should understand what happens to the gutters during a roof installation.
Whether or not and how your gutters will be affected depends on how the gutters are installed. In some cases, gutters remain attached to the fascia board beneath the roof. If this is how your gutters are installed, a new roof installation will not affect the gutters and so the roofer will not need to remove the gutters. In other cases, installing a new roof can cause damage to the gutters. Such damages occur when the roofer or the roofing contractor removes the old shingles, moves the roofing materials on the roof and installs the new shingles.
If the gutters sustain damage during the roof replacement, this can create few problems in future. Such damages can harm other parts of the roof and the repairs can prove to be very expensive later. In fact, the cost of repairs might prove even more expensive than removal of gutters in the first place.
Things You Need To Know Before Installing A New Roof
Replacing a roof is a costly and time-consuming project that all homeowners must undertake every few decades. Given the investment in time and money and the essential role a roof plays in protecting your house you want to ensure the job is done right, whether by you or professional roofers. By reading our guide below, you’ll learn when your roof needs a replacement and how to prepare for a roof installation.
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Pro: You Can Upgrade Your Whole Roofing System
One of the positives of replacing gutters at the same time as your roof is that you will have an updated system that you know works together. This is especially true if you are able to upgrade to a seamless gutter system from an old one with seams. It will make your new roof a lot safer and more efficient.
No gutter system is 100% leak proof, but the upgrade could make a huge difference. Having an old or leaky gutter system could impact your roofs performance. It could also allow water into your home or near your foundation and cause significant problems in the future.
Choose The Right Contracting Company
While some ambitious DIYers may opt to install their roofs themselves, most homeowners choose to hire a professional roofing company to handle this project. Sometime early on in the planning process, make some calls to various roofing companies in the area. Request quotes for your project and make sure they can install the type of roof you need. While most companies can install asphalt shingles, for instance, many don’t work with rubber, concrete tiles or other more unconventional materials.
Since you only need a roof installation once every couple of decades, roofing companies don’t need to rely on repeat business. This means customer satisfaction is often not as much of a priority, so many people choose their roofing company based on cost alone. However, this can often be a mistake, as these companies can only deliver low bids because they hire low-wage workers. For these reasons, it is extremely important to be careful about the company you hire. Get references from friends and tradespeople you trust and check websites that list certified installers.
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What Is Roof Fascia And Why Is It Important
The fascia is a long wooden board that runs horizontally on the edge of the roof. Usually, a fascia is either 2×8 or 2×6. This board connects the gutters to the roof truss. If you cannot see any wood in this spot, thats likely because your fascia boards are covered with a vinyl or aluminum cap to match your gutter system. Homes that do not have fascia boards at all are rare. A lack of a fascia board is typically against building codes and should be corrected in order to protect your home.
Roofers use the fascia to provide a stable mount for the gutters, but it serves other important functions as well. Without the fascia, the roof would have a gap leading straight into your attic. So, the fascia seals off your attic from the weather and animals. It is also aesthetically pleasing, especially when covered with a cap that matches the gutters.
How To Preserve Your Gutters Lifespan
So you dont need to replace your gutters alongside roof replacement, but what if you want to?
You can protect your gutters by keeping them clean and free from debris. This will prevent insects, mold, and other fungi from growing inside of it.
By making sure your gutters are properly maintained, they should last for many years without requiring replacement or gutter repair!
There are many factors that would affect the life if your gutter, and these could be:
1. The number of trees growing near it
2. Building orientation and exposure to wind, sun, rain etc.
3. The quality of the materials used in construction
4. Type of roofing material installed on your house
5. Its possible that a bad installation could also lead to early gutter replacement
So you must make sure that your contractor does the installation in a proper way.
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Do Gutters Need To Be Removed To Replace A Roof
If youre living in the Hanover Massachusetts area, chances are during the life of your home, the weather and normal wear and tear will cause you to consider replacing your roof. While simply placing the new roof over the old one is certainly an option, often a complete tear off and replacement can save you quite a few headaches in the long run. In either case, a serious question does arise. What should be done with the gutters during the process?
provided an answer to that question, says its important to take a quick look at what the gutters actually do. Why do we need them? Well, in a very real sense, the gutters are your first line of defense against the harsh winters and rainy weather that frequent this area. They help to keep moisture, debris, and snow away from your roof and the exterior walls of your home. They do this by essentially creating a dome-like boundary around the edges of your roof as well as portions of the soffitt and fascia. The rainwater flows down the channel created by the gutter and eventually into the ground avoiding your home.
Should You Replace Gutters With Every Roof Replacement
Having noted the situations where a homeowner can switch out gutters before the roof, its important to return to a key point. Gutters should be replaced with every roof remodel. In some cases its necessary. Gutter replacement is especially important when the gutters are attached to the roof, regardless of gutter condition. The reason is that the gutters must seal along the roofs edges perfectly.
Youll have to remove your gutters with every roof installation regardless. However, if you replace your gutters with your roof replacements, this all in one project could save you the costs of multiple projects through the years. Its also worth noting that when you take the gutters off for a roof repair, you have greater visibility of the portions of the roof that the gutters typically cover. This allows for a better roof repair process.
Finally, roofs and gutters have a comparable lifespan, so replacing them together is logical and can help the homeowner keep better track of the lifespan by only recalling the date of a single project.
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Removal And Reinstallation Of Gutters
Having the gutters removed becomes essential during roof replacement if the gutters are attached to the roof. If the gutter comes in the way of the new roof installation, it will most likely sustain damages, particularly along the edges. The roof can never be 100% sure that the sealing is fully intact as it was before the installation. That is why it is a good idea to have the gutters removed first, have the new roof installed and then reinstall the gutter system.
There are multiple benefits of taking this route, which is getting the gutters removed before the new roof installation.
- Have a better look at the components of the gutter system
- Ensure proper seals along the edges of the gutters
- Eliminate the risk of dents or scratches to the gutters
- Get the best possible new roof installation
First of all, getting the gutters removed paves the path to an ideal installation of the new roof. This is actually the natural process that roofers should follow remove the gutters and then install the new roof.
Roof replacement is a tedious, time-consuming project. The process involves multiple steps including the installation of the roofing accessories. Once the gutters have been removed, the roofing technician will be able to properly install each accessory that goes into the roof replacement. If the gutters are not removed, the roofer will install the ice and water shield over the gutter. This can create leakage issues later and the new roof can sustain water damage.
I Am Getting A New Roof Should I Replace The Gutters Too
So, youve finally decided its time to invest in a new roof. This is an exciting time. Your new roof will add a great number of benefits to your home including increased resale value, proper protection, better insulation, and an overall updated exterior appearance. This means a roof replacement is a great investment for your home.
However, with a roof replacement being such a large investment, its important to consider what steps will help make your roof last. Proper steps should be taken to increase its longevity, which can include maintenance, routine inspections, and even more easily overlooked care like additional attic insulation or gutter repairs. In fact, your roof replacement may have been caused by deficiencies in your gutter system to properly remove water.
Gutters are often the forgotten aspect of a roof. Many homes forgo the use of gutters, and this can be a big mistake. But with your upcoming roof repairs, its important to take a good look at your gutters and decide if they should be replaced along with your pristine new shingles.
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Repair A Common Roof Leak Associated With Gutters
A valley is when two roof slopes meet in a V shape that allows water to flow down a roof freely. When a valley stops in the middle of a roof, it will have a gutter that runs into it so the water can continue flowing down.
When that gutter in the valley gets filled with leaves and other debris, one of the most common roof leaks happens. While the overflowing gutter is the water source of the leak, its more about the fascia .
When theres improperly installed flashing or no flashing at all applied to the fascia board, a leak will happen. This leak wont happen under normal circumstances. It might be under extreme rain, but itll send water through the path of least resistance.
Once that water gets underneath the soffit , behind the gutter, it can go anywhere it wants, causing all kinds of damage.
Your roofing contractor is able to repair this leakThe flashing is brought behind the gutter, onto the roof, and then the last piece is tucked under the valley.
D Gutter System Diagram
End Cap: The end part that closes the gutter so that water or stray debris wont flow out.
Drop Outlet: Connects the gutter to the downspout.
Inside Corner: It has an angled outer wall that directs the flow of water into gutter sections.
Straight Connector: Connects troughs to keep the water flow off the roof and away from the property.
Outside Corner: Has two adjoining gutters cut on 45 degree angles.
Downspout: A vertical pipe that carries water away from the house.
Elbow: A bent pipe attached to the end or top of the downspout in order to direct the flow of drainage.
Bracket: Fastens the gutter to the house.
Section: The horizontal length of the gutter that is attached to the house and where runoff water falls into.
Downpipe: A vertical pipe where water goes through from gutters and roof catchments to the drainage.
Ledge Jumper: Directs the flow of water away from the house.
Splash Block: A device that disperses water away from the house.
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Cosmetic Damage Vs Functional Damage
Many homeowners insurance policies will cover functional gutter damage. If high winds or falling debris knocked some or all of your gutters off your home, the repair/replacement should be covered under your policy.
Cosmetic damage is not always covered. If your gutters are dented but still work properly, your policy may not cover new gutters with your roof repair. These cosmetic blemishes, also known as metal marring, may be categorized as wear and tear. Even if the blemishes came from a storm or other covered event, the visual damage may not be included in the policy.
What To Expect During Gutter Removal For Roofing
The roofing crew will examine your gutters to determine what was used to fasten them to the roof. That could be screws, rivets, or nails. They will use a hammer for the nails, a drill for the rivets, and a screwdriver for the screws.
It is essential to use the right tools during removal to avoid any damage to the gutters. After all, you will replace them once the roofing is done.
The downspouts are the first to come down. Downspouts tend to be heavy and can drag the gutters down, damaging them. That is why the crew must remove them first.
After the downspout is safely pulled away from the house, disconnect the brackets holding the gutters against the roof.
Gutter removal is a two-person job. One person will be unfastening the components of the gutter, and the other will be holding them stable during the unfastening process. It is best to leave it to the roofing crew to do it.
Once the roofing is done, the gutter installation crew will come in and put the downspout and gutter back in place to fit the new roof correctly.
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Gutter Design And Installaton
Homelife Roofing & Remodeling is experienced and knowledgeable in the design and installation of gutter systems that are tailored to drainage requirements, while complementing your homes beauty. Our trained gutter installers seamlessly install gutters and downspouts to most effectively collect and channel rain water away from your home, ensuring efficient water management and added sustainability.
We take careful consideration of materials, shapes, sizes, colors and placement to optimize function and pleasing aesthetics. Homelife Roofing & Remodelings gutters are the perfect accent to your home and provide peace of mind year after year.
Ready To Hire A Local Roofing Contractor To Take Care Of Your Gutter And Roof Replacement
You just learned that your gutters dont get removed during your roof replacement. Even if youre getting new gutters with your roof replacement, your old ones dont need to be removed until its time to replace them.
No matter if you need new gutters, a new roof, or even both, its crucial to hire a great local roofing contractor. But how do you find one? That all boils down to asking the right questions.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been replacing roofs and gutters for the residents of Nashville since 1990. No matter what your roof needs, were confident that we can take care of you. If youre in the Nashville area, dont hesitate to contact us for our high-quality gutter and roofing services.
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