Where two parallel roof sections on the same building slope toward each other, there may be a built-in gutter where the roofs meet. On low-slope roofs, they will typically be located right behind a parapet wall. On steep-slope roofs, they will usually be located above the soffit, if there is any. Location of Rain GuttersĪlthough gutters are most commonly mounted along the eaves immediately below the edge of the roof, gutters may be located in a couple of other places.īuilt-in gutters, also called hidden gutters, are built into the supporting roof structure near the roof edge and have a lining which is integrated with the roof covering. Copper, zinc, or wood gutters will typically require custom fabrication and will be the most expensive. Aluminum and steel gutters are commonly mass-produced by manufacturers and are relatively inexpensive. The cheapest gutters are usually made of vinyl. Gutters are made from aluminum (typically coated or painted), copper, steel (various types, typically coated or painted), vinyl (PVC), wood (with waterproof lining), or zinc. It’s important to check with your local building inspector’s office to see if there are any code amendments in your local code that have to do with gutters.įor more on building codes, see our page Building Codes and Roofs. ![]() Local jurisdictions may require gutters in some cases even though the IBC and the IRC don’t. This section covers roof drainage, including gutters, gutter sizing, downspout sizing, etc.įor the “Roof Drainage” section of the International Residential Code (IRC), which mentions gutters only four times, see here.įor the “Roof Drainage” section of the International Building Code (IBC), see here. Here’s the Storm Drainage section of the plumbing code. If gutters are installed, then the International Plumbing Code does have a lot to say about them. Gutters prevent costly long-term damage to the foundation. Building Code Requirements for Rain GuttersĪlthough gutters are not typically required by code for single-family dwellings, installing gutters on your house is simply common sense. Appropriate gutter dimensions are calculated using local precipitation rates, the slope of the roof, the size of the roof area draining to the gutter, and the type of profile of the gutter.Ħ-inches wide by roughly 4½-inches deep are common dimensions for typical residential K-style gutters. The proper depth and width of gutters depends on a few different variables. Gutters are often painted or coated to match the trim of the building. Other parts of the gutter system include end caps, drop outlets where the gutter connects to the downspouts, and gutter hangers. In cross-section, gutters appear semi-circular (half-round profile), rectangular (box profile), or have a straight back and bottom while the front has curves and angle changes similar in appearance to crown molding (K-style profile). Seamless gutters, almost always aluminum, are formed on-site and can potentially run the entire length of one side of the roof without a joint as a practical matter, a maximum length of 50 feet is recommended due to performance issues related to thermal expansion and contraction. They are commonly made with prefabricated sections, typically anywhere from 8 to 20 feet long, which are joined together during installation. Gutters are long, shallow troughs typically made from thin sheets of metal or vinyl. A rain gutter is also called a roof gutter, an eavestrough, or simply a gutter. Rain Gutters: Basic Information What is a Rain Gutter?Ī rain gutter is a fabricated channel made of metal, plastic, or wood which is installed along and below the edge of a roof to catch and divert rainwater coming off the roof. We know rain gutters pretty well, and we thought we would share some helpful gutter information here on our website. We inspect gutters and oversee gutter repairs and gutter maintenance. ![]() We specify what types of gutter to use on different roofs and what sizes the gutters should be. We have to decide whether to use roof drains, roof scuppers, rain gutters, or some combination of these. Our clients include homeowners associations, corporate real estate asset managers, property managers, and facility directors.Īs a part of our job, we research and design roof drainage systems for new roof installations and roof replacement projects. We’re professional roof consultants – roof experts. Removing loose gravel from the gutters is a common maintenance item with this type of roof. A steel rain gutter on a gravel-surfaced built-up roof.
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