 Limited
Visual Inspection:
Gutters &
Downspouts:
We Inspect 'You' Decide!
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What is the purpose of
gutters and downspouts? |
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The purpose of gutters and
downspouts is to collect and
discharge roof run off.
How does the International
Residential Building Code
address this issue? |
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§RR801.3 Roof
drainage.
In areas where
expansive or collapsible soils
are known to exist, all
dwellings shall have a
controlled method of water
disposal from roofs that will
collect and discharge
all roof drainage to the ground
surface at least 5 feet (1524
mm) from foundation walls or to
an approved drainage system. |
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What are are expansive or
collapsible soils? Clay soils.
All of the gulf coast falls into
this category. |
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The intent of the code is to
protect the foundation of the
structure. Saturated expansive
and/or collapsible soils can
lead to foundation failures
because their additional loads
are imposed on the foundation
wall or grade beam. To minimize
the potential for the soil
adjacent to the foundation wall
or grade beam to become
saturated due to roof drainage,
the code requires that the roof
drain 5 feet from the
foundation. |
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The grading (installed by your
builder) around your home is
not capable of collecting
and discharging roof run
off. Builders would like you to
believe that it is. However roof
run off will flatten the grading
around your home over time and
ponding water occurs. |
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If water is allowed to pond at
your foundation walls and/or
grade beam foundation movement
may occur. |
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Gutters &
Downspouts: |
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Information: |
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