The short answer
In short: Replace your gutters with your roof if they’re leaking, sagging, rusted through, the wrong size, or near the end of their life. If they’re sound, you can usually keep them, though they may need to come down and be rehung around the new drip edge. Either way, decide before the reroof starts so the work happens in the right order.
Why does it make sense to decide during a reroof?
- The roof edge is open. A new drip edge goes on along the eaves, and asphalt shingle roofs require one under the California Residential Code. Gutters hang just below it.
- Hidden damage shows up. With old roofing off, rotted fascia boards behind leaky gutters are easy to see and fix.
- One disruption, not two. Ladders, scaffolding, and crews are already there.
- New gutters stay new. Gutters installed before a reroof can be dented or taken down during the roof work.
How do I know my gutters need replacing?
| Sign | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Drips at seams and corners | Sealant has failed. One or two can be resealed. Many mean the system is worn out. |
| Sagging or pulling away | Hangers have failed or the fascia behind them is soft. |
| Rust spots or holes | Common on older steel gutters. Patches rarely last. |
| Overflowing in the same spots | Gutters may be too small, poorly pitched, or short on downspouts. |
| Peeling paint or water stains on fascia | Water is getting behind the gutter. |
| Age | InterNACHI’s life expectancy chart puts common gutters at about 20 years or more with normal upkeep. |
When can I keep my old gutters?
If the gutters are straight, sealed, sized for the roof, and drain to the downspouts without overflowing, there’s no reason to replace them just because the roof is new. Ask your roofer whether they need to come down for the drip edge and how they’ll be rehung and resealed afterward.
What about gutters in a fire zone?
Calabasas and much of the surrounding hills are Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. California’s wildfire building rules require gutters on homes in fire hazard zones to have a way to keep leaves and debris out, usually a gutter guard. Dry leaves in a gutter are an easy landing spot for embers, so noncombustible guards are the safer choice. Our Class A fire-rated roofing guide explains how the roof edge, vents, and gutters work together in a wildfire.
Where does the water go?
Gutters only help if the water leaves the house. Downspouts should discharge away from the foundation, not onto walkways or a neighbor’s yard, and hillside lots need extra care so runoff doesn’t erode slopes. Ask about downspout placement whenever gutters are replaced.
How we handle it
During the free roof inspection, we check the gutters, fascia, and downspouts along with the roof and photograph what we find. Your written estimate notes whether the gutters can stay, so you can plan the work in the right order. See roof replacement for what a full reroof includes, and how long a roof lasts by type.
Planning a new roof?
We’ll look at the roof edge and gutters together and tell you what’s worth keeping. Call (818) 351-2918.
Frequently asked questions
Do gutters go on before or after a new roof?
After. The new drip edge goes on first along the eaves, then the gutters are hung so the drip edge sheds water into them. Installing new gutters before the reroof risks having them taken down or damaged during the roof work.
Can my old gutters be reused with a new roof?
Often, yes, if they’re straight, sealed, correctly sized, and pitched toward the downspouts. They may need to be taken down and rehung so the new drip edge can be installed behind them.
Does a new roof need a drip edge?
Asphalt shingle roofs do. The California Residential Code requires a drip edge at the eaves and rake edges of asphalt shingle roofs, so it is part of a code-compliant shingle reroof.
Do I need gutter guards in a fire zone?
California’s wildfire building rules require roof gutters on homes in fire hazard zones to have a way to keep leaves and debris out, which usually means a gutter guard. Noncombustible guards are the safer choice in wildfire areas. Check with your local building department for what applies to your home.
Sources
International Code Council, 2022 California Residential Code, Section R337.5.4 (roof gutters); City of Santa Clara Building Division, re-roof guide (drip edge, CRC R905.2.8.5); International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes. Code editions change, so confirm current requirements with your local building department.