Can Gutters Be Removed and Reinstalled?
Water collection systems are an important factor in keeping your home functioning properly. But sometimes you might need access to areas that are blocked by gutters. This brings us to the following question: can gutters be removed and reinstalled?
The good news is, gutters can be removed and reinstalled in just a few easy steps. You can remove gutters quickly to repair them on the ground, replace fascia boards, or get a new roof installed.
Gutters Should Be Removed When:
New Roof Installation: Even if your existing gutters are installed to the fascia board, it’s still a good idea to remove them before installation. It’s common for this section of the house to get damaged when moving large quantities of shingles up on to the roof. It won’t take long to remove the gutters and you can avoid them from becoming damaged in the new roof installation process.
Fascia Board Replacement: Another reason why you may want to remove existing gutters is to repair a fascia board. This is the section of the roof where the gutters are attached. This material is commonly made out of wood, which means it can rot with age. You will need to remove your gutters if you want to replace the fascia board with a new one.
Fixing Damaged Gutters: If you’re looking to repair bent gutters, it helps to fix them on the ground. Sometimes you might be able to get away with fixing them on a ladder, but it’s much easier to accomplish this task on level ground. It will be absolutely necessary to remove gutters and reinstall them if they need to be repaired with a bench vise.
How to Remove Gutters
The good news is that removing gutters is much easier than installing them. All you need to do is remove the downspout and gutter brackets from the house. There’s no cutting involved and most of the time the only tool you need is a screwdriver.
1. Examine the Exterior
Closely examine the gutters before attempting to remove them. They will either be attached with nails, screws, or rivets. Use the appropriate tool to remove the gutters, in order to avoid stripping a screw or causing damage.
Taking them off carefully will make things much easier for re-installation. It also helps to figure out how you plan on moving the gutters when you’re on a ladder.
Working with another person is ideal, because you will be able to pass them down without causing any damage. Dropping gutters from a second story house is not recommended, as it will likely cause the material to bend.
2. Take Off Downspouts
Downspouts are the vertical piece that bring water down and away from your house. It’s important to remove this section first, in order to make the uninstallation process easier.
If you were to remove the gutters with this piece still attached, it would be very awkward and difficult to move. The downspout will be attached in two areas. The first area connects to the end of the gutters.
Most of the time you can remove it by taking off the screws. Then you will need to use a razor blade to remove any gutter sealant. This helps keep the water from dripping out when entering the downspout.
3. Remove the Brackets
Once the downspouts have been taken off the house, you can remove the gutters. In order to do that you will need to remove the brackets first. These are what hold the gutters in place and keep them secured to the house.
They will either be attached to the roof rafters, or fascia board. You can remove the brackets fairly quickly with a screwdriver. Just make sure to have a plan in place when the last one has been taken off.
If you’re working alone, leave the middle bracket last. With this method it will be easier to balance the gutter if you are holding it by yourself – as opposed to holding it from one side.
Can You Reuse Gutters?
It should come as no surprise that gutters can be expensive. It doesn’t matter if you’re using vinyl, aluminum, or steel gutters either. Used gutters can be a great way to add a water collection system to your home at a low cost.
The most important thing to remember is that gutters are customized to each house. So the kind you use should be slightly longer than the edge of your roof. Attaching small sections to each other should be avoided, as this can create leaks.
When reusing gutters it’s a good idea to reseal areas like the end caps and downspout. These sections are critical and you want to make sure there are no leaks present. If you’re taking gutters off a house and transporting them, always be careful not to bend the material.
How to Remove Gutters Without Damaging Them
There are a few tips to keep in mind if you want to remove gutters without causing any damage. The most important thing to remember is to have patience and use the right tools.
Any time you rush a job mistakes can be made, which will create sloppy results. Inspect the gutter bracket before taking them off. If this piece is being held with a screw, you will need to use a screwdriver.
But sometimes these brackets can be secured with nails, or rivets. If that is the case, make sure to use the appropriate tool for removal. Taking the gutters off of your house is just the first step. It’s critical to transport them to the ground safely from the ladder.
The safest method is to work with a team, so you can avoid dropping the gutters. Even with a little force gutters can bend easily, so you want to avoid this from happening. If you accidentally drop and damage a gutter it can be fixed – but it’s just one more problem to deal with.
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