Roof gutters : Are they required?

[kadoka]

Does UBC require gutters on single family homes? I know I will hear all the reasons why I should but are they actually required? Our house is going to be a slab on grade with covered porches on all sides extending out about 9 feet . The drainage from the roof will be well away from the slab. We are also in a very dry climate.

[Rich]

I don't believe gutters and downspouts are required by code.

[grumpydasmurf]

I've never seen a code requiring gutters but check this out: http://gutterexperts.com/important.htm

[Dragon]

I'd use them no matter what.

[Cole]

I would also.

[giddonah]

Hey grumpy, I don't doubt that your site is correct in saying gutters protect your foundation and what-not, but I was hoping that page would say why. It's a little hard to connect gutters to a cracked foundation. Not only would I like to know why, but I'm sure other people who see that page would like to too.

[Tom R]

Speaking generally.

Gutters divert water away from the house, helping almost exclusively to prevent water infiltration into the foundation. The diversion of such 'volume' of water also prevents erosion of the earth right next to and under the foundation, - - which would cause 'uneven' settling, - - and eventually, - - no doubt, - - cracking of the foundation wall(s).

Picture the volume of water coming off the edges of an umbrella in a real hard rain, - - that's exactly what you're 'achieving' around your foundation if you're not using gutters.

Use them, - - or live with the consequences!

[Cole]

Great Post, Tom.

[grumpydasmurf]

Tom can I copy and paste that onto my site?

To me it was common sense, but I guess not to everyone.

[giddonah]

It is logical, but I was looking for exact reasons why and how it does damage. I guess photos of damage is out of the question. When I see things that are stated as fact without an explaination, my first reaction is to wonder why the statement is made and challenge the statment, regardless of its veracity. If I can torture a theory and it still stands, I become more than a believer.

When Tom says it helps prevent water inflitration I'm sure he's leaving room for a high water table which is what I'm sure is the problem with one house, but I have another that probably wouldn't leak at all if it had some decent gutters. But that's fodder for another thread.

I just like to poke my head in and say "why". Most of the time there's something I haven't thought of, no matter how basic it is to others.

[kadoka]

Thanks everyone! I wasn't able to find anything in the USB either. LOL, and thanks for all the reasons why I should put them on. We want to leave the rafter ends and the underside of the porch roof exposed so gutters just aren't compatible with that. I understand all the reasons for gutters but where we are building, ground water is definitely not a problem and like I said, the water will be dripping about 9 ft from the edge of the foundation. Much further than most homes with gutters. If there was enough water falling from the sky to cause a problem we would have something besides cactus and similar vegetation in our "yard". We get about 9 inches of total precipitation here a year. I believe the average in the Chicago area when I lived there was about 34 inches. But I do appreciate you confirming that they are not required by USB.

[Dragon]

I just don't like having to walk through the drip.

[kadoka]

Dragon

I will leave an umbrella out for you. :) Rain is almost a non issue here in this part of Colorado.

[Dragon]

When it does rain do you get the torrential downpour? Do you get that 9" all at once?

:D

[Tom R]

Kadoka, - - Yeah, I knew my post didn't really 'apply' to your situation, - - I just thought it would possibly answer a few questions for others, - - that's why I wrote "Generally speaking" first.

Grump, - - of course you can 'copy', - - I'm honored you would even ask!

[kadoka]

Dragon

Actually hard down pours are not very common. We just don't get the cool thunder storms like the midwest. Just kind of boring blue skies most of the time.