![]() Gutters also reduce the likelihood of soil erosion below the foundation. If water in the soil is concentrated along the building’s foundation, the resulting pressure exerted by the water can overwhelm foundation dampproofing, forcing water into the foundation walls, which can lead to cracks, leaks, and more severe structural damage. Rain gutters prevent a build-up of hydrostatic pressure in the soil at the foundation. Most importantly, gutters serve to protect a building’s foundation. Where there is little or no eave overhang, gutters reduce the amount of water running down the exterior walls and thus the chances that water will find a way into those walls. They prevent the erosion and damage to landscaping that concentrated falling water would cause. Gutters help keep people from getting drenched when going in or out. ![]() There are a few reasons to keep this from happening. Rain gutters are used to prevent the water that hits a roof from falling to the ground with amplified volume and force in a concentrated mass along the exterior walls of a building. It’s important to check with your local building inspector’s office to see if there are any code amendments in your local code that have to do with gutters.įor more on building codes, see our page Building Codes and Roofs. Local jurisdictions may require gutters in some cases even though the IBC and the IRC don’t. This section covers roof drainage, including gutters, gutter sizing, downspout sizing, etc.įor the “Roof Drainage” section of the International Residential Code (IRC), which mentions gutters only four times, see here.įor the “Roof Drainage” section of the International Building Code (IBC), see here. Here’s the Storm Drainage section of the plumbing code. If gutters are installed, then the International Plumbing Code does have a lot to say about them. Gutters prevent costly long-term damage to the foundation. Building Code Requirements for Rain GuttersĪlthough gutters are not typically required by code for single-family dwellings, installing gutters on your house is simply common sense.
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