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WHAT ARE 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.
Built-in Gutters, sometimes called Hidden Gutters, are a gutter system formed by the structure at the eaves of the roof. Rather than attaching an external gutter to the outside of the fascia, a Built-In Gutter design uses the board to frame in a trough to collect rainwater at the roof edge. This requires a waterproof membrane placed over the board and under the roofing material some distance up the roof slope, depending on the pitch. A Cap Flashing is attached to the top of the board to protect and provide a finish, while a copper pipe soldered to a flange is used to drain water to a downpipe.
Common issues experienced with this type of system are poor sloping, inadequate capacity and small drains mounted too high on the slope. As the gutter is “Built-In” to the building structure, any leaks cause wet boards and structural damage.
Maintenance
A majority of built-in gutters are lined with formed metal. The earliest metal used for the lining is terne-plate. Terne, an alloy of lead and tin, was applied over sheet iron, then later, steel. This gutter lining material needs protection from corrosion. Just like tin roofs, regularly applying an oil-based paint was the traditional method of maintenance.
Another 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 roofing cement which tends to be a messy, temporary repair.
Unfortunately, a majority of these gutter systems have suffered from the lack of proper repairs and maintenance. Quite often there’s also damage to the eaves structure below that requires the skills of an experienced carpenter to repair.
Restoration
Restoring these gutter systems, even if there is no damage to the wood below, can be quite expensive. Trying to find someone with the knowledge and metalworking ability could also be a challenge. Soldering in some patches might be effective for someone with basic skills, but complete relining with terne requires a highly skilled (and expensive) craftsman. The cost of relining the gutters with copper could 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.
There’s 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.
If your home uses a built-in gutter, our best advice is to have a professional clean and inspect them for performance, before expensive wood repairs are needed. Drips can be obvious, however dark areas of wood at the fascia boards and staining or discoloration of the soffits are telltale signs of water ingress. Keep in mind that weather and temperature play a part when repairs can be undertaken, so don’t leave a problem to grow through the next winter.