Gutter Downspout Onto Lower Roof

You ll need drop outlets to connect the gutters to the downspouts.

Gutter downspout onto lower roof.

When gutters and downspouts from an upper roof spill out onto a lower roof damage can occur to fiberglass asphalt shingles. I just had gutters installed by a reputable company but am concerned that one of the downspouts on the upper level of a split roof empties onto the lower roof. So it s a matter of what the home inspector or contractor considers acceptable. I called these out and the owner sent the report to the builder toll brothers.

Also a gutter in a dormer that had no downspout but had the back end towards the roof surface open and the water just flows out the back and onto the lower roof. Many instances of downspouts from upper dormer gutters emptying directly onto the lower roof. This sometimes will cause splashing over the gutters. We have torrential downpours here occasionally and i am concerned that this will ruin my roof.

The contractor said this is a perfectly normal installation. The water is allowed to run on the roof surface and is collected by the lower gutters. Gutter hangers and gutter brackets allow gutters to attach to a house s eaves offering support and strength to the front edge. Generally a contractor that drains a gutter onto a lower roof will say that it is an industry standard whereas a contractor that rants against it will say that it s.

Note also that the valley also sheds its water down the roof surface as well as opposed to into the gutter. There is no building code citation that forbids a gutter from draining onto a lower roof. Housing inspectors from florida north and south carolina california new york and illinois note that letting upper roof downspouts or gutters discharge water onto lower roof surfaces does not. Gutter end caps close off the ends of gutters keeping debris and water from flowing out at this point.

The downspout exit sits near the side of the lower roof and water falls off the side before continuing down to fall into the lower roof gutter. It has to catch all the fresh rain that lands on the lower level roof as well as handle all the water flow from the upper level roof. I have an upper roof downspout emptying onto a lower roof. Erosion might be visible in 1 2 years or less or potentially be less severe all depending on the amount.

Whenever you have an upper level roof draining onto the lower level roof that lower gutter now has to do double the work. The shingle grit on a shingle s surface can erode under a gutter outlet or downspout.