Hi folks, I’d appreciate your advice on an item my 3rd party inspector noticed on a home I’m having built in Spring, TX (near Houston). There are no gutters installed on my house. From my cursory knowledge of building code, gutters are never explicitly required, although R 801.3 requires some controlled method of drainage 5 ft from the “foundation walls or to an approved drainage system.”
As it is, last weekend we visited the house and noticed that rainwater is already making a little trench about 8 inches from the back of our house and pouring down right in front of our porch. It certainly would be nice to have!
The builder simply states, “We don’t put gutters in.” Do I have any argument to require the builder to include them?
What does your contract with the builder state as to the standard they are building to? That is the only requirement they have. Don’t assume. If it isn’t in writing, you bad.
So all the rain falling between the top three arrows is going to drain down the valley and out at the bottom arrow, over the siding right at the front door…
Well, it sounds like I’ve got a project to work on after we move in. If it’s not a requirement, the builder won’t put gutters in. Until then, it’s umbrellas up to the front door…
mmaizel
(Marvin Maizel, CMI® Fl State Lic HI 681)
8
Did you choose your home from a model house? Did you choose your home from a drawing?
Yeah, although I gotta say that I wasn’t paying attention to the gutters at that point–it was more floor plan and features. The builder said some communities include them, but not the one I’m in.
Gutters are not required. Your contract with the builder should detail what is or is not included. It seems fairly odd that gutters would not be included and judging by the roof design you will be having major water problems in a few areas of the building. I would install gutters ASAP and make sure the water is carried away from the foundation/slab.
it’s unfortunate so many here don’t know or rely on the codes
i believe the op would have a very good argument for gutters being required
much of houston, tx has expansive soil
R801.3 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 roof drainage to the ground surface not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) from foundation walls or to an approved drainage system.
