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Rain Gutter styles & snowloads

jjapogee | Posted in Construction Techniques on October 21, 2010 11:19am

The project I am working on is in a mountain environment that receives a few decent snowfalls each winter (one to three storms that typically drop 1′-2′ of relatively wet snow). Most of the yearly precipitation is rainfall (~28″ year), and gutters are highly desirable in several locations on the project.

The project has some craftsman-esque styling in the fascia, so something distinctive for gutter style is desired- the typical ‘K’ style gutter is just a little too…well, typical. I was considering a half-round gutter (6″), and got a quote from a seamless gutter provider- he was a little unsure about using half-round in a place that gets heavy snow- he’s concerned the pack will just push it right down. He normally uses typical hidden hangers at 4′ intervals- he suggested increasing them to every 2′ to accommodate the potential snowload.

Anyone have experience with various rain gutter styles in environments that get decent snow? Cost is something of an issue- copper just ain’t gonna happen- but suggestions or alternatives would be appreciated.

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  1. DanH | Oct 22, 2010 08:37am | #1

    Of course, the nice thing about the K style is that it braces itself against the fascia.

    But simple snow load isn't the big hazard.  It's sliding snow and ice dams.

    What's the slope of the roof? What material?  "Hot" or "cold"?  Any "fancy" roof angles where there will be awkward valleys, etc?

  2. seeyou | Oct 22, 2010 02:05pm | #2

    4' centers is too wide - we never install half round on more than 3' centers and shoot for less than that. In heavy snow country I'd certainly opt for 2' centers.

  3. jjapogee | Oct 22, 2010 04:40pm | #3

    It's a pretty steep pitch- ~11/12. Most of the roof is 'warm', except a few sections at the gable, and along the eaves. The roof is being re-done as well, with ice/water shield along the eaves to keep ice dams out. (Ice dam damage is fairly uncommon in this environment, though.) Nothing too fancy in the roof framing- a few valleys that will empty into gutters. The fascia hangs vertically.

    Though the pitch is steep, snow doesn't usually slough off- a composition roof seems to stop most of this- so on the relatively rare (1-3 times per year) instances where we get a good snowload, it probably creeps and could create downward pressure on the gutters.

    I would sure like to use half-round instead of the K (ogee) style- sounds like using hangers @ 2' is the best way to mitigate snow damage. Is there a brace or bracket for half-round that provides better support than the hidden hanger that supports only along the top?

    1. DanH | Oct 22, 2010 06:27pm | #4

      So this is an existing house?  What (if any) gutters were up before, and what (if any) problems were had with them?

      1. jjapogee | Oct 23, 2010 05:08pm | #5

        Actually, it's an addition to an existing house, and the whole thing is being guttered. The existing house had K style gutters from the Big Orange Box, and they leaked like a sieve.

  4. yammy | Oct 23, 2010 10:06pm | #6

    rain gutters

    the half-round gutters will stand up to the snow, use brackets at 16"or 24" centres-try to fasten through to rafter nends,

     fasten the gutter lower  on the fascia,it will still catch the water, less chance of sliding ice damage.

    yammy

    1. DanH | Oct 26, 2010 09:03am | #7

      Yeah, that's important, especially on a steep pitch roof.  You want the edge of the gutter to be just visible if you sight down the flat of the roof.  Any higher catches too much snow, any lower won't catch the rain.

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