Replies

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Mar 31, 2008 02:58pm | #1

   Most roofs have a metal edging, a drip edge, at the bottom edge and installed below the first course of shingles. That drip edge should overhang the inside edge of the gutter so water drips into the gutter, not behind it. Check to see if your drip edge 1) exists and 2) is installed properly.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

2. 
   RickL | Mar 31, 2008 03:07pm | #2

   Try Breaktime as this is the furniture forum. Good luck with your gutters.

   http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/

3. 
   JohnWW | Mar 31, 2008 05:40pm | #3

   The gutters probably aren't draining properly and overflowing. This can be caused by debris in the gutters, clogged drain pipes or improperly sloped gutters.

   The gutters can't be flat and parallel to the roof edge they must slope towards the drain end. The slope is something like 1/4" per foot which means a drop of 4" in 16 feet.

   John White

4. 
   Len | Mar 31, 2008 05:51pm | #4

   What's happening in a heavy rain is the water is curling around the end of the shingles and running on the back until it contacts the fascia. Then the water runs behind the gutters.

   The shingles should over hang the gutters somewhat. Barring you having to re-roof. There is another way to address the problem. Buy some edge flashing and slip in between the bottom of the shingle and the fascia board. The flashing should extend into the gutter.

   Hope this helps.

   Len

1. 
   wolvpato | Apr 01, 2008 12:25pm | #6

   Len,

   Thanks.  I think the drip edge needs to be extended. 

2. 
   kentmich | Apr 01, 2008 01:46pm | #7

   (Yeah, I know we should be in Breaktime, but we're here. Sorry.)Bill,
   I have an original 1790's colonial up in NH. Some of the gutters have been removed. I want to repair the gutters to protect the foundation plantings and keep the basement dry, but my wife says it would make the ice dams worse and they should all be removed.The main part of our house has the standard steep pitched roof for a colonial, but we also have shed roofs on the additions. Ice dams have been a problem. Since you're in my climate, but I'm outside your business area, you can give me an informed but unbiased opinion. Gutters or no?

1. 
   Woodrat1 | Apr 01, 2008 02:51pm | #8

   KentMich,Happy to talk with you.
   Let's take this off line.
   Send me an email thru my website
   with your contact info & we'll talk.Bill-http://www.franklinwoodwright.com

2. 
   JohnWW | Apr 01, 2008 07:00pm | #9

   Gutters have little to do with ice damming, although it may look that way from the ground.If you do some research on ice dams you will find that they are caused by warmth on the underside of the roof area, coming from the heated areas of the house, that causes snow to melt and then refreeze at the edge of the roof which isn't warmed by the escaping heat. The ice wall at the edge of the roof then captures a pool of water that eventually works its way under the roofing. The ideal solution is better insulation to prevent the heat loss and ventilation just below the roof surface to carry away whatever heat does get past the insulation, this is easy to achieve on new construction but can be very difficult to achieve on an existing building. If the better insulation and ventilation aren't practical then the best next solution is usually to install an especially watertight roof that sheds snow easily, this is why there are so many metal roofs in snow country.As much as possible try to avoid having gutters on a house, they are almost always a high maintenance item in the New England climate.John White, (In Vermont)

1. 
   dougmeyer | Apr 02, 2008 03:44am | #10

   I am not sure it is easy to stop even on new, but it is much simpler on new to stop ice damns then it is on old const.  Still if you have to deal with it keep in mind that the ideal it to keep all the heat in the living areas and keep cold air under the roof. This is why we generally use soffit vents and ridge vents (or house vents) this allows cold air to enter at the bottom stay under the roof and exit at the top.

   Also when that fails we use (in this area it is code) a membrane to about 3 or 4 feet above the heated are of the roof (normally the wall line) That being said the company that I work for specs this on the entire roof now. One leak in one house will pay the cost on a LOT of house.

   So as much insulation as you can get. Good venting and while it does not stop the ice damn a cont. membrane can help limit the effect of the ice damn doing damage.

   Doug Meyer

1. 
   JohnWW | Apr 02, 2008 05:56pm | #11

   It is easy to prevent Ice damming on new construction, good insulation and good venting are all that is need. In my experience the insulation and venting often aren't properly designed, especially the ventilation, and typically contractors skimp or are sloppy in the detailing in an area that is awkward to work in so the work tends to get rushed.I have no objection to the membranes, but they are a back up to compensate for poor design or installation and they don't prevent damage to the roofing itself from the ice and pooled water. In addition to being a cabinetmaker I designed and built several houses in Vermont over the years and none of them had ice dam problems.John White

5. 
   Woodrat1 | Mar 31, 2008 10:58pm | #5

   Len & Mike Hennesy are correct.

   We install approx. 2 million dollars worth of gutters per year
   where I work. Len & Mike are dead on.

   Bill-

   http://www.franklinwoodwright.com