Homes without Gutters and Downpipes
Stormwater management in the form of gutters and downpipes or perimeter paving is essential. This protects every home’s foundation and structure.
If you are like many homeowners, you have probably wondered why some houses have no gutters and downpipes to protect against stormwater damage. You may have wished your home had none because of the cleaning and maintenance issues.
Gutters and downpipes are not required by law on a sloping roof. Many modern homes have none, even in instances where they would benefit from having them. There are alternatives that architects sometimes prefer such as concrete paving around the perimeter of your house.
To decide whether rainwater gutters and downpipes are necessary for your home, it is best to see what the building regulations require.
The Building Regulations do not require roof gutters and downpipes if another suitable means of drainage has been provided. This is to remove or disperse rainwater from the roof away from your home.
However, the Building Regulations do require that any stormwater that flows from your roof or any area near your home must not cause damage to the interior of the building, its structure or its structural elements. The regulations require steps to ensure that stormwater does not accumulate. This is to avoid “undue inconvenience” to you as the occupant of your home.
Furthermore, the system used must:
- not undercut the foundations by erosion or flooding
- drain stormwater away from your home
- not allow stormwater to accumulate against or close to the external walls
- make provision for the drainage of any areas on the property where water pools
- be capable of being easily maintained and cleaned