Bellevue Roof and Gutters

Installing a New Roof? 4 hidden Ways It May Affect You Gutters

Don’t you wish that you could get all of the important stuff up front before you started a major project? For the many people in Bellevue who will have their roofs redone this summer, they might be missing out on some crucial information. Like, did you know that the work on your roof may be affecting your gutters?
It’s true! In fact, if there are going to be any effects that your roof inflicts on your gutter, it’s going to happen in the first year. It’s an important issue—and one that gets passed over when you’re talking to most roofers. Check out these four ways that your new roof might affect your gutters.

Let’s talk about Bellevue roof and gutters:

Shedding Asphalt

Almost all shingles are going to change somehow after they’re installed on your roof. The most common change is to cure and adapt to the weather in Bellevue. But asphalt shingles have an added, special ingredient.
Extra granules of asphalt are embedded into the shingles during production, and some of those extra granules will shed off through the first year. Where does that matter go? Your gutters, of course! Asphalt runoff can leave a nice, thick layer that lines the bottom of your gutters and won’t wash away very easily.
Why not? Well, asphalt and tar offer a “water-proofing” function because of the carbon contained within. The carbon makes all of the particles and runoff more adhesive and viscous, and most of all, water-insoluble. Expect to put a little bit of elbow grease into cleaning that out of your gutters!

Moss Resistant Shingles

What makes moss-resistant shingles resist the moss is a mix of copper granules that are worked into the shingle. Copper works to block moss and algae form growing on your roof, but the runoff my actually damage your new gutters—especially if they’re made from aluminum. Copper plays havoc with even freshly installed systems by pitting and deteriorating them. Do your best to get the residue out of your gutters as quickly as possible, and clean them frequently for that first year while the shingles shed. You can even install gutter guards to keep the grit out of your gutters.

Leaching Oils

Most every shingle leaches and sheds something, but it happens most often to the shingles that are cut. If they form the edges of the roof, shape valleys in the roof, or are placed around chimneys, skylights, dormers, or pipes, then those shingles are most likely exuding something.
The good news is that the shingles that are treated with oils are relatively safe for your gutters. While tars are water-proofed, oils are just water repellent, and any oils that get in your gutters can be cleaned away easily. Some gutter guards that self-clean will make this a complete non-issue.

Adding In Gutter Guards

While you’re planning to have your roof installed anyway, it’s usually very cost-effective to plan in a gutter guard installation at the same time. Systems that use micromesh can keep all of the shingle runoff out of your gutters, which is especially useful if you’re installing the corrosive, moss-resistant type. Just be prepared to see all of that debris appearing on your deck, patio, porch, and driveway!
One caution: make sure that your shingles aren’t set to be installed too far over the roof deck. That sort of interference will block your gutter guards from really working well at all—and then what’s the point?

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Rusty Nail in Bellevue Gutters

Do you have any other questions about how your new roofing project might affect your gutter system? Did you learn something new? Join in on the conversation and comment below!