Installing a new roof is a large financial investment into your home.  And with a new roof, you’re not just installing new shingles, but a whole roofing system that supports that part of your house.

Gutters are an often overlooked part of your roofing system because they don’t have to be replaced at the same time as your roof. Gutters play a crucial role in directing rainwater away from your roof and the foundation of your home, and when they are not functioning properly, a variety of problems can arise. So, it’s important that they, too, are in good condition when you replace your roof.

Do Gutters Need to Be Replaced When I Replace My Roof?

Broken or clogged gutters are more than just a nuisance. When gutters fail to properly channel water away from your home, the consequences can be serious. Water can pool on your roof, causing shingles to deteriorate faster, which compromises your roof’s protective barrier. Prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to rot in the soffit and fascia, weakening the structural integrity of these vital components that support your roof and maintain your home’s curb appeal.

In addition to roof damage, poor drainage from malfunctioning gutters can lead to significant foundation problems. When water is not directed away from your home, it can accumulate around the foundation, potentially causing cracks, shifting, and costly repairs.

If your gutters are as old as your roof, they may have outlived their lifespan. Over time, gutters can rust, warp, or become separated from the home, which further reduces their ability to protect your property.

Gutters Are Part Of Your Roofing System

Gutters may feel like an afterthought, since they’re just attached to the roof, but they have two very important functions that work with the roof to move water away from your roof.  By moving water away from the roof, it keeps water from pushing under and destroying the shingles and drip edge, or, worse, leaking into the attic. It also keeps water from running off your roof and down your house to deteriorate your foundation.

In the winter, broken, sagging or clogged gutters can cause ice dams. An ice dam is where the warm water from the home melts the ice off of a roof, but the water refreezes when it reaches the gutter, causing water to force its way under the shingles or facia boards .

Clogged, saggy, or leaking gutters can cause water build-up that can cause significant damage to your house. A roof replacement cannot correct the condition of the gutters, but old gutters can hurt your new roof’s lifespan.

If left unfixed for a long time, clogged gutters can cause water build-up. This, in turn, damages the inside and outside of your home. But, most concerning is the detrimental damage this can cause to the foundations.

Keep reading to find out exactly the reason you should invest in new gutters when replacing your roof.

Problems a New Roof Without New Gutters Can Cause

If your gutters are ineffective, you can practically count on your property having significant erosion issues.

Without gutters, the water that flows from your roof can cause soil displacement. Over time, this can cause your property to become unlevel. The water can also collect and pool on your property.

In fact, having ineffective gutters is almost the same as not having any at all!

When you replace your roof without replacing what protects your home and property, the damage is almost inevitable. This reduces your roof’s lifespan.

Are New Gutters Necessary?

The primary purpose of new gutters is to provide a protective boundary for your home.

They protect your home’s foundation from water damage. Ignoring faulty guttering could lead to problems more difficult and expensive to fix than simply replacing the gutters would have been. Having new gutters installed along with your roof is a preventative measure.

Faulty guttering can affect your home’s resale value, too. If you plan to put your home on the market soon, ensure your gutters are replaced—especially if you are adding a new roof.

Cost of Potential Damage

Over time, mold and mildew overgrowth and debris build-up cause blocked gutters. In addition, the continual water overflow damages your home’s foundation—particularly if you have a basement or already have structural problems.

How much could these damages set you back?

Of course, it depends on the issue, but you can expect structural damage to cost tens of thousands of dollars. On average, large-scale mold remediation will cost you around $6,000 if water gets inside your home.

Avoid these issues—and the costs associated with fixing them—by investing in gutter replacement simultaneously with a roof replacement.

Get Both to Avoid Problems Down the Road

When you consider just the up-front costs, a new roof and gutters seem like quite the undertaking. However, without adding new gutters to your new roof, you start running up the bill for all kinds of unnecessary home maintenance issues down the road.

Work with Volpe Enterprises Inc. to get a high-quality roof and new gutters quickly and affordably. With over 50 years of experience and a highly knowledgeable team, no job is too big or too complex.

Reach out to us today for a quote.