How Long Can a House go Without Gutters
Gutters are one of the most effective and affordable ways to keep water out of your home. Still, they need to be properly installed and maintained…
Rainwater is the number one enemy of our residential buildings. Eavestroughs are very useful to prevent water from falling on the roof and causing problems.
Gutters are not required by the Building Code. Many municipalities do not include them in their regulations. Some builders are quick to sell new homes without eavestroughs to reduce costs and increase profits.
Eavestroughs are essential to prevent a host of water and moisture-related problems.
The absence of eavestroughs is noticeable without even looking up at the roof. On the ground all around the house, long lines are drawn where the drops fall repeatedly. If it were only for this aesthetic consideration, there would be nothing to worry about.
In Quebec, moisture problems in basements are common. This is not surprising: our houses are built with little or no waterproofing barrier against the concrete foundation. According to Marco Lasalle, Director of Technical Services at the Association des Professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ), the bituminous coating required by the Construction Code offers little protection.
If the water is not kept away by gutters connected to downspouts, which are themselves extended to direct the water 1.5 m away from the house, the soil near the foundation quickly becomes waterlogged. Because concrete is a porous material, moisture can be transmitted to the interior of the basement.
In some cases, the abundance of water near the house can even cause structural damage to the house,” explains Marco Lasalle. This is the phenomenon of bonded frost. With the types of soils known as “frost”, water that freezes in the ground near a garage, for example, can lift it several millimeters and break its foundation!
When there are no eavestroughs, water falling from the roof can create erosion in the flower beds. Over the years, it can also compact the soil, creating a depression that traps water near the foundation.
Poorly installed or deteriorated gutters can cause these same problems. Leaks concentrate water in specific areas, accelerating soil erosion and water accumulation near the foundation.
Major Eavestrough Problems
Home-made installation
Professional installers offer seamless aluminum gutters. If they have joints or are made of plastic (PVC), expect leaks and breaks over the next few years.
Poor maintenance
In late fall, remove dead leaves that clog gutters, says Benjamin Hamar, general manager at MRO Gutters. “If there are no hardwoods around the house and the roof is asphalt shingles, every five years you need to remove the granules that build up in the gutters.”
Bad slopes
Under the weight of plant debris or ice, gutters can buckle. The slope that should direct water to the downspout can reverse. The weight of the water that accumulates in the gutter accentuates its deformation. Repairs are possible, but a new installation is preferable.
Roof Wear
If the eavestrough from a high roof spills directly onto a lower roof, the asphalt shingles will wear out in just a few years, warns Marco Lasalle. Any eavestrough should direct its water to the ground.
Poor downspouts and extensions
Ice may have caused downspouts to burst, resulting in leaks. Downspouts should be connected to above-ground extensions, otherwise, all the rainwater will be concentrated in one corner of the foundation.
Downspouts connected to the foundation drain
Downspouts can be extended into the ground on a grass-covered gravel bed. However, when you see the downspout inserted into a four-inch diameter plastic drain, it is often to carry water to the foundation drain, which is not designed to handle large volumes of water.
Should there always be gutter guards, those perforated aluminum plates that are installed on top of gutters to prevent debris buildup? If there are a lot of leafy trees above the roof, we recommend them to the customer,” says Benjamin Hamar. Otherwise, we don’t even mention it.”
Installing new gutters on a single-story home costs $10 or more per linear foot. Gutter guards cost $3 to $4 per linear foot. Replacing gutters can be a good opportunity also to repair or change fascias, soffits, and other eaves components.
What about flat roofs?
Older duplexes and most multi-unit buildings have flat roofs. A slight slope directs water to a drain in the center of the roof. The water from the precipitation goes down a drop column and is then directed to the municipal sewer system.
This drain should be protected with a screen, which prevents plant debris from entering the drain. In late fall, it is important to go up on the roof to clear away any dead leaves that might clog the screen. Otherwise, you will end up with a pond on the roof, which increases the risk of water infiltration.
It is often around the drain that the first water infiltration of a flat roof occurs. If the membrane’s connection to the drain has been poorly executed or has deteriorated, water will find its way into the ceiling with each rainfall.
Infiltration can be more subtle, a few drops at a time. According to Jacques Perron, president of René Perron Couvreur, when the snow melts, condensation can occur on the drain inside the attic. This can be remedied by covering the drain with insulating wool. Otherwise, it may be a leak in a drain elbow, which should be repaired by a specialized plumber.
Do you hear water running when it rains? That’s what happens when the old cast iron downspout is replaced with a black ABS plastic pipe. There is only one thing to do: get used to the noise!