Replies

1. 
   Jim_Walters | Oct 31, 2001 07:20pm | #1

   *
   Lou,
   When I built houses in Alaska we didn't use gutters at all ....for those reasons.

1. 
   Mike_Smith | Oct 31, 2001 10:32pm | #2

   *lou.. i spend a lot of time designing gutters out of my projects...generous overhangs and good grading will usually solve any problem a gutter might .. without any of the maintenance issues of gutters

1. 
   piffin_ | Nov 01, 2001 06:37am | #3

   *Good design does do away with need for gutters but he's already got the problem.I hate gutters, they cause as many problems as they solve. Just use enough to keep the rain off your neck while keying the door open or direct other critical drain areas. For instance, I see a lot of places where a deck is built under an eave and the splash rots sills and door trim out really quick.

1. 
   David_Noble | Dec 05, 2001 02:15am | #4

   *Hey, eavestoughing is a great business up here in Canada

1. 
   Kerr | Dec 05, 2001 08:34pm | #5

   *I think Lou's problem is that his house has too little insulation for his geographical location. Once he corrects that issue (and addresses any air leak sources allowing warm air near his roof) the ice dams will be reduced or eliminated.Then the gutter issue is moot.On old houses (with poorly sealed & drained foundations) gutters are a godsend. On new houses or built on slabs I guess you could make a point for no gutters in certain parts of the country, but having no gutters allows a ton of water to land right next to where you most want to keep the earth dry!

2. 
   lou_domanico | Dec 05, 2001 08:34pm | #6

   *
   Any stories on how rain gutters survive in upstate NY? - the house is old with a flat roof and little insulation in the 12" area over the ceilings - so the snow melts slowly(but constantly) creating ice along the edges. People selling them claim they're the best, most roofers do not like them. I'm concerned that the ice will build in the gutter and crash it down or the downspout will freeze solid. I do not want to use heat tapes.