Old House Without Gutters

K style gutters 1950s present.

Old house without gutters. Photo by denise sfraga looking to diy. Rain chains are a popular japanese alternative to gutters or downspouts. One good way to prevent clogs is to fit your gutters with big downspouts either 4 inch round or 3 by 4 inch rectangular. However you re not wanting to go through the hassle of installing gutters in your home.

Roger cook evaluates a couple alternatives for moving rainwater effectively. Add a drainage system under raised decks. If you have any concerns about safely climbing up and down the ladder then your safest bet is to hire a professional cleaning company. How to divert water without gutters or downspouts everyone knows the importance of diverting water away from a house but sometimes a traditional gutter and downspout simply won t work.

Roger cook evaluates a couple alternatives for moving rainwater effectively. For about 3 per foot you can get micromesh gutter guards that you can install yourself. Steep slope roof if your home s roof has a very steep slope and a long overhang it might already be working to direct rainwater away from your house. If the roof has no gutters and downspouts or interior downspouts carefully examine the exterior walls for signs of water damage.

So for each style i ll give you a sense of when it was popular so you can best pair it with your old house. When the gutter is dry fill small holes and seams from the inside using a butyl based gutter caulk. Photo by denise sfraga fascia clip. This optional fascia clip allows for installation without disturbing the roofing.

Perhaps you decide that the cons of not having one are too dire to bear. The rule of thumb is to clean your gutters at least twice a year but more if you have a lot of trees hanging over your house or you live in an area that experiences a lot of storms. Scrape away old caulk and clean the surface before applying the new stuff. How to divert water without gutters or downspouts.

The right grading around your home is a great way to ensure that water drains away from your house instead of staying near the foundation where it can cause a lot of damage. Here are three fuss free alternatives for a house without rain gutters. Steep roofs allow rain and snow to slide right off very easily and if your overhang extends more than a foot past the side of your home you re unlikely to experience much damage from the displaced. Now that we know why rain gutters exist let s figure out why your house doesn t have them.

Gutter anddownspout materials are usually galvanized steel aluminum copper or plastic. While not a permanent solution the way that gutters and other options are this. The frame is anchored to the gutter s front edge with stainless steel sheet metal screws. Everyone knows the importance of diverting water away from a house but sometimes a traditional gutter and downspout simply won t work.

Get the latest this old house news updates and special offers every week. For most mid century homes you have a lot more options than the a 19th century queen anne victorian. What types of gutters work with a historic house is largely dependent on the age of the home.