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Gutter Overflow Problem

9 years ago

My family has a gutter overflow problem, and I've been designated the 'researcher of ideas' despite not knowing the proper terms to use, so bear with me.

There's a spot in the front porch area that, when we get excessive rain or a really bad storm, overflows into a garden bed below, usually killing whatever plants are in it. Here's a picture of it: http://i.imgur.com/VztYmNs.jpg

Here's a picture of the bed: http://i.imgur.com/nhAs93X.jpg It gets to the point that it's almost like a pool. It drains eventually, but not fast enough for any plants in there.

This is due to the gutter serving as drainage for two roof surfaces, as shown here: http://i.imgur.com/RgoEygm.jpg

The closest drain point is here: http://i.imgur.com/BfvH9OL.jpg It drains through a pipe that has an exit below the other garden beds.

We can't put another drainage point very easily due to this place being next to a personal sidewalk, as well as a concrete driveway: http://i.imgur.com/hj5dGuv.jpg It'd be suicide in the winter to have it dump onto the pavement, but having a drainage pipe go from there to the other end of the house would look pretty bad.

I hope the photos help show what the problem is, as well give people ideas to possible solutions. The gutters are standard 5 in size.

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Comments (5)

roof35
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
A couple of suggestions for you.

1.Check the obvious, is the lower gutter or downspout clogged?

2. Check the fall of the lower gutter. I can't tell by the
pictures, and can only guess the length of the lower gutter. It should fall 1/2" per 10 foot of run (length).

3. And you're not going to like this one. The upper downspout
should dump directly into the lower gutter. I see it all the
time like yours is. However, GAF put out a technical bulletin in
2011 regarding downspouts being dumped onto lower roofs.
Something you may want to consider changing after reading.

2011 GAF Bulletin

There are formulas to determine gutter size & downspouts
needed based on the square feet and rainfall of area being drained. But, by
the appearance of the reverse gable meeting the gable, I am
assuming the roof is the same way on the rear of the structure.
And, am guessing you do not have a problem at the rear of the
structure. The two areas do not appear to be large areas, and
the pitch doesn't look much over 5/12 or 6/12, I would not think
the pitch is steep which can play into the configuration of
downspouts and gutters.

I would check 1 & 2, and definitely look into 3 to re-rout
the upper downspout.
PRO
Precision Carpentry
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
roof35 has pretty much covered it.The easy fix might be to put a deflector where the water from the upper downspout over the garage flows into the gutter..This may work depending on the slope of the gutter and if they are clear.Just a bad design overall.
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Personally, I think that house gutters cause more problems.
Q
Comments (3)
We only have gutters where the water would drip on your head as you go in and out, or where there is sidewalk (and hence roofwater on the head) or flower beds that would splash mud everywhere. Otherwise, it just comes off the roof and drops to the ground/grass. I think the main issue with gutters is keeping water from heavy rains from pounding on the ground, eroding a low spot that keeps the water near the house where it could cause settling of your foundation even without a basement, and splashing back on the siding where it could potentially find a way underneath. If you had a good slope away from the house and good grass cover to prevent erosion and splashing on the house, gutters may not give you much benefit except over doors and sidewalks. Then again, I'm in a dry climate and if we get 2 or 3 inches of rain over a several week period, we find all kinds of interesting problems from the excessive wetness--not from lack of gutters, but just from generally excessive moisture.
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Q
Comments (1)
Got 'em, love 'em, and no problems with drainage. In greater detail, we live in an older house (1930s) and think they fit with the house more appropriately than standard k style. In our case, we had to use a 6 inch round size (I believe with rounds you go up one gutter size in comparison to k style). Truthfully, I can honestly say I didn't think I'd care much for round gutters, but my husband lobbied for them and it wasn't something I cared that strongly about, so we got them. In hindsight, he was completely right... the 6 inch size gives our soffit trim much great depth and truly makes a difference. Now, the gutters are one of my favorite details about our house. So, if it's something you are considering I'd say go for it.
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Q
Comments (2)
umm - these are just guesses, but here goes - the water splashes onto the porch from the downspout? the water falls through a crack before it enters the gutter? a nail from the gutter made a hole in the roof? A downspout from further up got disconnected? You can test it with a hose. Have a spotter, and try the hose directly into thew downspout, starting at the lowest entry and if that shows nothing, move up the roof spot by spot.
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gutter problems.. help please..
Q
Comments (4)
Ugh. They certainly ruined a panel of siding. There is supposed to be a kickout piece of step flashing for the first piece of step flashing. The purpose to direct water _away_ from the structure. The splash guard is no doubt taking a portion of the water and splashing into the structure. Per code; Ã¢ÂÂR905.2.8.3 Sidewall flashing. Flashing against a vertical sidewall shall be by the step-flashing method. The flashing shall be a minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) high and 4 inches (102 mm) wide. At the end of the vertical sidewall the step flashing shall be turned out in a manner that directs water away from the wall and onto the roof and/or gutter.Ã¢ÂÂ This post was edited by Roof35 on Wed, Sep 17, 14 at 18:04
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gardengrlz
9 years ago
We had your exact same problem not too long ago. The problem was our gutters were too small to accommodate the water coming off the pitch of our roof. Your roof pitch is almost the exact pitch as ours and our old gutters were too narrow to channel water coming off that pitch at that rate of speed. We replaced our gutters with the widest ones we could find (I think 6") and also installed a deflector where our gables came together.
tanyuu
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you all! I've relayed this thread to the resident hardware guy of the family, and he's already getting the parts needed to correct this. Even if our problem was blockage, you all may have helped us avoid an even bigger problem.
gardengrlz
9 years ago
You're welcome! Yes, before we upgraded our gutters, all of my front flower beds would get completely pounded and washed out. More importantly, the rain would wash over the gutters in the back of our house like a waterfall and cause water to leak in through our walk-up basement door into our basement.

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