Should You Replace Your Gutters When You Replace Your Roof?

Should You Replace Your Gutters When You Replace Your Roof?

Spoiler alert: Maybe. But let’s break it down so you can make the best decision for your home (and your wallet). At North OKGN Construction, we believe in honest advice, not upsells. So here’s everything you need to know—straightforward, no fluff, and with just enough dad jokes to keep you awake.

When to Replace Your Roof

Let’s start at the top—literally. Most roofs need replacing every 20–30 years depending on the material, climate, and whether the previous installer believed in nails or just crossed their fingers.

Signs it’s time for a new roof:

• Missing or curling shingles
• Leaks or water stains in your attic or ceiling
• Granules piling up in your gutters (yes, they’re not just for autumn leaves)
• You can see daylight from your attic—and it's not a skylight

Signs Your Gutters May Need Replacing

Here’s a quick checklist to see if your gutters are crying for help:

• Rust, cracks, or holes
• Sagging or pulling away from the house
• Overflowing even when they’re clean
• Water damage around your fascia or siding
• They're older than your favourite pair of jeans

How Roofing and Gutter Systems Work Together

Your roof and gutters are sort of like peanut butter and jelly—different jobs, but way better when they work together.

Your roof sheds water, your gutters direct it away from your home’s foundation. If either system fails, the other takes a hit. Replacing one without at least inspecting the other is like fixing your car’s brakes and ignoring the bald tires.

Factors to Consider When Replacing Your Gutters

When you're already replacing your roof, it might seem tempting to "just do the gutters too." But hold your horses (and your credit card). Here are some key factors to help you decide whether it’s the right time to tackle both:

• Are the gutters functional and not leaking?
  If your gutters are still doing their job—no leaks, no overflow, no sagging—then replacing them may not be urgent. But if they're showing wear, it could be more cost-effective to swap them out while your roofing crew is already set up.
• Do they match the look of your new roof?
  A sleek new roof can make old, faded, or mismatched gutters stick out like a sore thumb. If you’re switching from shingles to metal or vice versa, your new roof might have different drip edges or a cleaner profile that makes older gutters look bulky or out of place. Upgrading the gutters at the same time helps everything look intentional—not like a home improvement project that ran out of steam halfway through.
• Are they attached in a way that will make roof work trickier or more expensive?
  Some gutters are installed tight against the fascia or under the drip edge, making it tricky (and sometimes risky) to work around them. Removing and reinstalling them later could mean extra labour and potential damage to your new roof.
• Will accessing or removing them damage your new roofing material later?
  If you keep the old gutters and replace them a year or two down the line, you risk denting or lifting flashing, shingles, or trim in the process. Doing it all at once minimizes future disturbance to your brand-new roof investment.

Benefits of Replacing Your Gutters at the Same Time as Your Roof

Combining these projects isn’t just efficient—it can be smart financially and logistically:

• Saves on labour costs (two birds, one ladder)
• Reduces the chance of accidental damage during future gutter removal
• Better aesthetic match between roof and gutters
• One warranty, one contractor, less hassle
• Peace of mind—and isn't that what home ownership is supposed to bring?

Common Myths About Roof and Gutter Replacements

Myth #1: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Sure, but your gutters might be “almost broke,” and that’s when they like to surprise you mid-rainstorm.

Myth #2: “Roofers and gutter installers don’t talk to each other.”
At North OKGN, we’re a one-stop crew. We know how to coordinate our teams,which means no surprises and no finger-pointing.

Myth #3: “It’s cheaper to dothem separately.”
Sometimes, but often the opposite is true. You might pay more over time with repeat site visits and overlapping labour.

What to Ask Your Contractor(And How to Spot Red Flags)

Whether you’re calling North OKGN Construction or someone else (though we hope it’s us 😄), here are some smart questions to ask before committing to roof or gutterwork—and what kind of answers you should listen for.

1. "Can you inspect mygutters during the roof quote?"

👍 Good answer:
“Absolutely. We’ll take a look while we’re up there and let you know if we seeany issues.”
→ Shows they’re thorough and not just trying to upsell.

🚩 Red flag:
“We only do roofs.” or “That’s not our job.”
→ Even if they don’t install gutters, they should at least assess them.

2. "Is it worth replacingboth now?"

👍 Good answer:
“That depends on the condition of your gutters. If they’re still solid and functioning well, you can hold off. But if they’re leaking or pulling away, it makes sense to tackle both now while everything’s accessible.”
→ Balanced, thoughtful advice.

🚩 Red flag:
“Yes, always.” or “You might as well.”
→ Oversimplified and potentially a sales pitch in disguise.

3. "Can I see photos of any damage?"

👍 Good answer:
“Of course—here are some pictures we took from your roofline/gutters.”
→ Transparency = trust.

🚩 Red flag:
“It’s all bad up there—you’ll just have to trust us.”
→ Nope. If they won’t show you, be wary.

4. "Will replacing the gutters later affect the new roof?"

👍 Good answer:
“It can—especially if your new roof has drip edge flashing or specialty trim. Replacing gutters later might risk damaging those components. We can walk you through how it would work either way.”
→ They’re protecting your long-term investment.

🚩 Red flag:
“Nah, doesn’t matter.”
→ Over-simplified answers like this can lead to costly repairs later.

So… Should You Replace Your Gutters When You Replace Your Roof?

In short: If your gutters are nearing the end of their life or already showing signs of wear, replacing them at the same time as your roof is often the most cost-effective, low-hassle solution.

But if they’re in great shape? There’s no pressure from us to replace something just because. That’s not how we operate.

At North OKGN Construction, we believe in honest work, smart solutions, and making your house feel like home(without draining your renovation fund).

Need a Roof (or Gutters) in the Okanagan?

We service from West Kelowna to Salmon Arm and we’d be happy to take a look at your roof and gutter system. No pressure, no pushy sales—just good people and solid craftsmanship.