Should Eavestroughs Be Removed for Roofing Jobs in Ottawa?

This is one of the most common coordination questions Ottawa homeowners face when planning a roof replacement, and the answer depends on the condition of your eavestroughs, the scope of the roofing work, and how your contractor handles the transition between the roof edge and the gutter system.

Removal Versus Working Around Existing Gutters

In most Ottawa roofing jobs, the eavestroughs should be removed and reinstalled after the new roof is completed, and here is why. A proper roof replacement involves stripping the old shingles, inspecting and repairing the roof deck, installing new ice and water shield membrane along the eaves, applying new drip edge flashing, and laying new shingles. The drip edge — that critical L-shaped metal flashing at the roof's lower edge — must tuck under the shingles and extend over the back of the eavestrough to direct water into the gutter rather than behind it. If the eavestroughs stay in place, the roofer cannot properly install the drip edge, and water will eventually find its way behind the gutter and into the fascia board.

Ottawa's 50-plus freeze-thaw cycles per winter make proper drip edge installation especially critical. Any gap between the drip edge and the eavestrough allows meltwater to refreeze behind the gutter, accelerating fascia rot and creating ice buildup that pulls the eavestrough away from the house. The Ontario Building Code requires drip edge flashing on all new roof installations, and installing it correctly is virtually impossible with eavestroughs in the way.

Most reputable Ottawa roofing contractors include eavestrough removal and reinstallation as part of a full roof replacement. The additional cost is typically $300 to $800 depending on the linear footage and complexity of the system. Some contractors subcontract the eavestrough work to a gutter specialist, which can actually produce a better result since the eavestrough professional can inspect the system, replace worn hangers, reseal joints, and ensure proper slope when reinstalling.

If your eavestroughs are more than 15 to 20 years old, a roof replacement is the ideal time to install new eavestroughs entirely. You save money by combining the work — the old gutters come off as part of the roofing job, and new seamless aluminum eavestroughs go on after the new roof and drip edge are in place. New seamless aluminum eavestroughs for a typical Ottawa home cost $2,500 to $5,000, and doing the work alongside a roof replacement eliminates a separate mobilization charge.

If the roofer insists they can work around existing eavestroughs to save time, that is a red flag. It usually means corners will be cut on drip edge installation and ice and water shield membrane at the eaves. In Ottawa's climate, those shortcuts lead to ice dam damage, fascia rot, and water infiltration within a few years. Always insist on proper removal, new drip edge, and careful reinstallation. The Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com lists both roofing and eavestrough contractors who can coordinate this work properly.