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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.
BUILT-IN GUTTERS
Built-in gutters, also referred to as “box gutters” are considered a concealed roof drainage system. Since they are not readily visible, they typically don’t alter the historic character of buildings and don’t detract from or conceal decorative cornice details. Unfortunately, being unseen often results in neglect. The simplest form of maintenance is keeping them clear of debris. This is necessary for any gutter system to perform its duty, but with built-ins, trapped, standing water can lead to a shorter life and very costly repairs. Because they are integrated into the structure, built-in gutter linings that fail will cause extensive damage to the cornice and sometimes also the interior of the structure.
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
The most common sign of water penetration is peeling paint and decay in the wood soffit under the gutter. Other signs are dark stains and mildew or deterioration of masonry. Water infiltration may be visible in attic spaces or areas beneath the gutters where plaster and other interior finishes evidence water damage. The sooner a leak or area vulnerable to failure is addressed, the smaller the scope and cost of repairs. Cleaning out leaves and debris from gutters as often as necessary is essential for durability and proper performance.
Careful inspection by a competent roofer is critical to the longevity and success of the system. He or she will look for defects, such as localized damage caused by fallen limbs or other debris, cracks from expansion and contraction at joints or folds, or pinholes from corrosion. Roofing tar and other bituminous compounds should never be used to patch, repair or coat gutter linings. It makes the condition of the gutter indeterminable, corrodes metal linings, will crack and fail quickly, and cannot be removed without destroying the lining. Ice damming is not uncommon in the winter but should not be removed with sharp tools for obvious reasons.
A majority of built-in gutters are lined with formed metal. One issue is the soldered joints, where sections of the gutter meet and forms a seam. The expansion and contraction of the metal during temperature changes results in failure at the weakest point–the seams. When a leak is finally discovered, the seams are usually just patched with tar (roofing cement)–which tends to be a messy, temporary repair.
Restoration
Restoring these gutter systems, even if there is no damage to the wood below, can be quite expensive. Although it is best practice to restore metal-lined gutters with metal, the availability of experienced contractors and the high cost might prevent some homeowners from making needed repairs. This could allow leaking gutters to cause extensive damage to their home, significantly escalating the cost when repairs are finally made.
If the metal gutter lining isn’t too far gone, it might be able to be preserved with an elastomeric coating system. If there are a few bad spots or tar patched seams, a reinforcing fabric can be installed as the coating is applied.
Another method of restoring built-in gutters that has been successful, when installed with care. This involves applying a waterproof roofing membrane over the existing gutter lining. These membranes are usually either EPDM (rubber) or modified bitumen and are manufactured for “flat” roof installations. Correct installation includes properly adhering the membrane and seams, correctly terminating the edges and installing the downspout outlets so they don’t leak.
