Alternatives to gutters???

[Amkeer]

I am building a home for my family and would like some suggestions on some options to avoid gutters. In Florida its seems to be the normal routine to install gutters. I understand the need to shed water away from the structure without creating erosion, hence gutters with drains.

The big drawbacks I see with gutters is they take away from the looks. You end up with downspouts everywhere and crooked gutters covering up fascia.

My home has a 8/12 pitch with square cut fascia. The fascia is 1 inch by 6 inch width.

I am open to any and all suggestions from fellow experts.

Thanks in advance!

[Dancing Dan]

Re: Alternatives to gutters???

How about no gutters?

I'm not sure I understand what an alternative to gutters would look like.

[Toolwhore]

Re: Alternatives to gutters???

Amkeer;

Try this - www.rainchains.com
I know it rains alot there at times, maybe they might work for what you're talking about.

Sorry,these are only for the down spouts, but there is a similar product to run along the facia, that turns the runoff into a fine spray. I'll try to find it and post it for ya.

[Amkeer]

Re: Alternatives to gutters???

No gutters is a one of my choices, however I still have to deal with water runoff from the roof. If I have no gutters how do you deal with the runoff to the soil and prevent erosion? One option would be to omit gutters and then place gravel at drip line. I would need some kind of fabric under the gravel to prevent washout.

Dan the question is a little more complex than just omitting gutters I have to deal with soil movement.

Ideas anyone, suggestions?

[Amkeer]

Re: Alternatives to gutters???

Tool,

We get monsoons here almost everyday in the summer. The volume of water coming off this roof is, well, unbelievable, especially at valleys.

The rainchains would be nice at a small area.

[Amkeer]

Re: Alternatives to gutters???

Some info I pulled up on the web that I thought was interesting, especially the gutters that are incorporated within the roof.

http://www.heritagehillweb.org/hpc_g...downspouts.htm

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/stories/Detailed/10162.shtml

[Toolwhore]

Re: Alternatives to gutters???

Amkeer;

Here's another link - www.rainhandler.com

BTW - What's an amkeer. Sounds like something they'd have a hunting season for. Just kidding.

[Amkeer]

Re: Alternatives to gutters???

Amkeer is part of the 3 first names in my family. It actually should be 4 but my son isn't old enough to know yet.

Its funny that you bring up the rainhandler. I was just watching that video for the installation of it. I am not sure about the rainhandler and how it would work or look for that matter. Its something to think about using. Whats your thoughts about it?

I feel like I am leaning towards the gravel and landscape fabric, but I have time to make decisions. It will be at least 2.5 to 3 months before landscaping begins.

I appreciate the input!

[resiewdub]

Re: Alternatives to gutters???

I live in Florida as well, and do a whole lot of repair work. Gutters seem to cause more problems than they prevent, HO's generally don't keep them cleaned out, improper installations, etc. I think you're on the right track with the landscaping.

[NW Architect]

Re: Alternatives to gutters???

Use one of those louver thingies like Rainhandler. There are other manufacturers. They split up the force of the water so the erosion at grade doesn't happen. You still need to deal with the water. One detail I've used involves a dry moat - for lack of a better description - roughly under the drip line of the roof. Dig a trench about 6" deep with a V bottom and run a piece of perf pipe along the bottom, connecting with whatever you do in your area with rain water. Either line the bottom with 10-mil polyethylene, or better yet, dimpled drainage mat. Cover with cobbles. Water gets in and drains away. Cobbles are heavy enough not to get dislodged.

[Amkeer]

Re: Alternatives to gutters???

resie,

We have lots of trees so the gutters would have to be cleaned 3-4 times a year. Most people probably don't clean the gutters and the water backs up into the roof and rots everything. I have also had the luxury of repairing the rot associated with gutter neglect. You get rotted fascia, soffitt and rafter tails. When the wood gets wet the termites and carpenter ants march on in and do their dirty deeds. Nasty!

NW,

Sounds like a great idea about the french drain type of setup! So I guess I would have to use a fabric screen on top of the pipe?

So it would be trench at drip line. Line dirt with visqueen or heavy polyethylene, lay perforated pipe, cover perf pipe with fabric (maybe?) then cover the area with larger stones or 1.5x1.5 inch rocks around perimeter of home. I will do this at the areas with the greatest runoff and slope, correct? This mat you speak of what is it?

Great advice!!!!

[NW Architect]

Re: Alternatives to gutters???

Amkeer,

Get a corrugated perf pipe, rather than a Schedule 40 pipe, for this application. You have no load to crush such a pipe. Those have the geotextile sock already around them. You'd lay the poly in the trench to create the water tight bottom, then lay the perf pipe in the bottom of the V . . . actually the bottom of the V should have a trench for the pipe to sit down in. Plop in the pipe, connect to drainage system, cover with cobbles. 1.5 inch rock too small. Cobbles are 4"-8" river rock. You want a big rock so it doesn't get dislodged, wind up hiding in the grass, and become a missle when run over by a lawnmower.

Dimpled drain mat is a product like Miradrain. You can do an internet search. It can take the place of the poly and perf pipe if the site itself, or the bottom of the trench, has a slope. There are connectors to fir the drain mat onto tightline piping.

[Amkeer]

Re: Alternatives to gutters???

Great advice! Thank you.

[phillip]

Re: Alternatives to gutters???

ditto on NW comments


on house with basements make sure there is no leaks in the system
we had one that had a leak and drained thru the electrical underground conduit, lots of water arond the electrical service panel....

[DonnaC]

Re: Alternatives to gutters???

I too am searching for an alternative to gutters (that I ripped off my Florida home years ago) I have two massive oak trees in my front yard.

But now I am having pavers installed as a patio across the full length of the back of the house and a 15X10 area in front of the house at the front door.
What concerns me is the front area butts up to a 90 degree angle (garage attaches to house) and the water runoff there is phenomenal during a downpour. I'm afraid the water will undermine the pavers.

How could this be countered?

Should I have a drain pipe installed under the pavers to take the water away?