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Alternatives to gutters that prevent water damage to your home
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Diverting water away from your home’s foundation is key to avoiding erosion over time. However, traditional gutters can get clogged easily—and some people just don’t like the look of them. If you’re looking for a different solution for your home, we’re sharing the best gutter alternatives, including how to move water away from the roofline and options for managing water on the ground .
How do you handle roof runoff without gutters?
Divert runoff from your roof with a louver system, drip edge, or rain chains. Divert runoff on the ground with a drip path, French drain, channel drain, rain garden, or by increasing the grade of your yard away from your home.
Steps
Section 1 of 3:
Ways to Divert Runoff From the Roofline
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Louver system Louver systems are installed directly to the siding of your house, just underneath your roof. When it rains, the louvers are meant to help the rain fall out and away from your home instead of running straight down the fascia. [1] X Research source
- These systems are nice because they can’t clog up with leaves or debris like classic gutters do. They’re also more affordable than gutters and can be easily customized to the shape of your home.
- That said, they may not be as effective during heavy rain, so some puddling may still occur. You may need to combine this with an on-the-ground solution, like a French drain.
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Drip edge A drip edge is a flat sheet of metal or plastic that sits under your shingles to move rainwater away from your house. They’re often installed when a roof is built, but if your home doesn’t have one, you can slide it under the first row of shingles on your roof, then attach it with nails and roofing cement. [2] X Research source
- You can use drip edges with or without gutters.
- Drip edges also help seal any gaps in your roof so small animals can’t get into your attic.
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Rain chains Rain chains are long, chain-like structures that are usually made of copper or aluminum. Hook a metal rain chain anywhere you’d normally place a downspout. When it rains, the water will run down the chain and onto the ground. [3] X Research source
- Rain chains slow down the flow of water, so they’re a good option in spots where water splashes down off the roof, causing erosion on the ground below.
- You can use rain chains to direct water into a rain barrel, garden bed, or drainage system.
- If you get a lot of freezing weather, rain chains may not be a good option. Heavy ice will weigh down the chain, which could damage your home.
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Built-in gutters Built-in gutters sit beneath your roof eaves, so they’re hidden from view. They’re a good option if you don’t like the traditional look of gutters, but they’re usually a more expensive option. [4] X Research source
- Built-in gutters don’t require as much maintenance as traditional gutters because it’s harder for leaves and other debris to fall in. But because they’re hidden from view, it’s also harder to know when it’s time to clean them. [5] X Research source
- Built-in gutters can be tricky to install, so it’s a good idea to hire a professional to put them in.
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Section 2 of 3:
Ways to Divert Runoff on the Ground
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1Drip path Drip paths work best if you have an overhang around your whole house. A drip path is a path made of pavers or crushed stone that is slightly angled away from the building. The path is built all the way around your home, directly under your overhang. When water runs off the overhang, it lands on the drip path, flowing down away from your foundation. [6] X Research source
- Drip paths can be a simple, attractive way to manage runoff. They’re often combined with a solution like a drip edge or louver system.
- You can add small plants or shrubs to the path to make it look more attractive.
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French drain French drains are perfect if your home sits in a dip or a valley. According to professional plumber David Balkan, “A French drain is a perforated pipe that’s placed in a trench, and you put crushed stone over the pipe. The trench is also lined with fabric to keep dirt from running into the pipe and clogging it. When it rains, the water flows through the stone and into the pipe, so it’s directed away from the home.” [7] X Expert Source David Balkan
Professional Plumber Expert Interview- Consider hiring a professional for the installation. Balkan says, “French drains need to be installed properly so they won’t get blocked up over time.” [8]
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Expert Source
David Balkan
Professional Plumber Expert Interview - Add gravel and plants to your French drain to turn it into an attractive landscaping feature.
- Consider hiring a professional for the installation. Balkan says, “French drains need to be installed properly so they won’t get blocked up over time.” [8]
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David Balkan
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Channel drain Channel drains are best for flat, hard surfaces. If you need to divert water away from a driveway, walkway, or concrete path, consider a channel drain. This is a narrow, concrete trench that’s covered with a metal grate. When it rains, water flows into the trench and away from your home. [9] X Research source
- It’s usually best to have a professional install these, but if you want to try yourself, you can buy pre-fabricated trench drains so you don’t have to pour the concrete yourself.
- Use the channel drain to direct water to a runoff ditch, French drain, or rain garden.
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Grading Try grading if you have a large plot of land to work with. If water tends to run toward your foundation, consider changing the grade of the land. Use a rototiller to make sure that the land around your home drops 6 in (15 cm) for every 10 ft (3.0 m) around your house. That way, the water will run away from your home instead of toward it. [10] X Research source
- You may need a permit to grade the land around your home, so check with your local building authority. You may also be required to have the work done by a contractor. [11] X Research source
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Rain garden Plant a rain garden to use the diverted water. Look for plants, shrubs, and trees that are native to your area and tolerant of wet conditions. The root systems of these plants will help prevent soil erosion. Additionally, they’ll help filter out pollutants that can sometimes be found in rainwater. [12] X Research source
- Locate your rain garden in a low spot in your yard where water collects naturally, or put it at the end of a drain or downspout so your diverted roof runoff ends up in the garden.
- If you don’t want to invest in a whole garden, you can also plant native trees and shrubs in areas where runoff is causing your soil to erode.
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References
- ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/gutters/guides/gutter-alternatives/
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/roofing/21019341/installing-a-drip-edge
- ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/rain-chain/
- ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/gutters/guides/gutter-alternatives/
- ↑ https://researchgutters.com/Built+In+Gutter+Systems.html
- ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/gutters/guides/gutter-alternatives/
- ↑ David Balkan. Professional Plumber. Expert Interview
- ↑ David Balkan. Professional Plumber. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://abtdrains.com/4-common-reasons-trench-drains-fail-and-how-to-avoid-them/
- ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/gutters/guides/gutter-alternatives/
- ↑ http://www.seattle.gov/sdci/permits/permits-we-issue-(a-z)/grading-permit
- ↑ https://scvurppp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/BASMAA_Landscape_Dispersion_Fact_Sheet_082312_APPROVED_online_ver.pdf
- ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/gutters/guides/gutter-alternatives/
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