MAINTENANCE AND RESOURCE MANUAL:
DRAINAGE SYSTEMS - Gutter and Downspouts

Gutters and Downspouts

• Roof Drain -A drain that receives water collecting on the roof to discharge it into a downspout.
• Gutter - A channel of metal or plastic at the eaves or roof of a house to carry rainwater to downspouts and away from the building. The materials used for gutters are generally, vinyl, aluminum, copper, steel and wood. Built-in gutters can last 60 to 100+ years; hanging gutters usually last 20 to 30 years; steel gutters can last 50 to 100 years (enameled steel gutters require repainting every 5 years.)
• Leader Head - The boxlike head of a downspout connected to the gutter.
• Downspout - a vertical pipe to carry rainwater from the roof or gutter to the ground.
• Shoe - The curved base of the downspout to direct the flow of rainwater.

Common Problems

The drainage system should be examined twice a year, either from on the roof itself or from the ground with binoculars. Things to look for include:

• Clogged gutters and downspouts from debris
• Corrosion on metal gutters, especially at the joints and the bottom where leaves may collect
• Disconnected downspout or separated seam on the downspout. This is usually caused by the clogging of the pipe, water build up and then freezing (therefore expanding) of the water.
• Gutter pulling away from the house. This may be caused by excessive accumulation of debris and ice in the gutters. This increased weight weakens the gutter hangers until they cannot support the system.

If a problem is discovered in the drainage system, check the surrounding surfaces for signs of water damage; for example peeling paint and staining.

Maintenance

Gutters need to be cleaned of all debris twice a year because debris builds up. Gutters can overflow if clogged with debris or leak through pinholes from corrosion. When the water cannot drain properly it seeps under the roof covering and causes fasteners, sheathing and the actual structure to deteriorate. The most common sign of water penetration is peeling paint and decay in the wood soffit under the gutter, dark stains and mildew, and deterioration of the masonry.

A hidden gutter screen can help in keeping out some of the debris. After cleaning the gutters, a cursory inspection of the drainage system can be completed by spraying the roof of the house with water and watching the gutters for pooling. This is a sign of sagging and misalignment of the system. While vinyl, aluminum and copper gutters rarely need maintenance; other materials may rust (steel) and rot (wood). Steel gutters should be painted every few years and wood gutters should be protected with a preservative every year.

Repairs

Simply due to the location of gutters, extreme caution must be taken in carrying out any repairs or a professional should be contacted to complete the work. Small holes in vinyl and aluminum drainage elements (gutters, downspouts) can be patched with fiberglass. Sections of gutters that are sagging can be fixed by removing the supporting hardware and rearranging it to drain properly. The gutter is then reattached to the rafter ends. Areas that have a significant amount of damage should be replaced with the same material (vinyl with vinyl…). The damaged area can be cut out and a new gutter installed in its place, attaching it with screws and roofing cement.