Problems with townhouse gutter installation

Let me first say that I live in a townhouse community so I am limited in what I can do on the outside of my townhouse. I can do a few small things without the townhouse association caring but I probably couldn't get away with a major project.

This being said, the gutters on my townhouse were installed incorrectly. There is too much water being directed from the roof to one gutter. The result is an overflowing gutter of water in warm weather and an ice buildup in the gutter in the winter. When it begins to warm up the ice slowly drips from the gutter onto the sidewalk below in front of my front door and causes an ice build up there as well. Up to this point, I have just been spreading salt to cause the ice to melt and in the summer making a quick dash to not get soaked.

Is there anything I can do to correct this problem outside of a major gutter re-adjusting? Thank you!

 

If you feel it's incorrectly installed have you called the association for an appointment with the roofer ?

 

Yep, spoke with the association on this. Every building in the development has the same problem. Once you factor in the number of buildings and units across the development it becomes expensive for the association and then the homeowners if they pass it onto us. I was hoping I could find another solution in the mean time till the association figures things out - which who knows how long that could take. Thanks again!

 

A picture would help us get a better idea of the problem area. But heated cables would probably help keep the roof edge and gutters clear.

 

If your not allowed to work on it without there approval what other choice do you have?
Pictures are always nice when asking for suggestions on how to correct an issue.

 

Living in Maine I'm all too familiar with snow melt and the resulting problems as you describe. As you drive around, look at the newer well insulated homes and notice "no icicles". The snow will stay on top and slowly disappear with very few problems. The key to your gutter problem is the heat from the house melting the snow while it is cold enough outside to form ice.

A project you can undertake on the inside might be to air seal and insulate your attic, assuming your attic is separated from the others. If several homes share the same attic space it would need to include the entire building, but the payback would not only be a reduction in snow melting, but a reduction in the heating costs.

Bud

 

I live in a townhouse in a small development (12 - 4 unit buildings that have 1-1/2 to 2 story units). When I moved in, I ended up on the board (railroaded) and found that every state and development has different regulations/by-laws and things a homeowner must OR can do. The prime item of concern was the uniformity of appearance (windows, doors, etc. and colors). Everything on the exterior was the responsibility of our small 12 building complex was controlled by the owners group. The home owners association has an administrator to cut the grass, plow snow, mow and fertilize the lawns and trims all shrubs up to 6' high. The owners of the units own the property under their unit and extending out to property line of the development - If a 30' or 50' tree goes down the owner has to pay for removal and MUST plant a new tree with over a 2" caliper trunk.

Everyone had problems with gutters and somehow there was mish-mash (building by building) of gutter styles and especially the gimmick ways to handle the leaves from the many larger trees (up to 50' high). There was one of every gimmick ever promoted from screens, foams, helmets flip out, etc. The home owners group/board insisted on a good uniform system and voted to put in oversize "seamless" gutters AND downspouts, but with NO guards, screens or protection on the gutters.

That was 5 years ago and all problems from leaves, overflowing and snow and ice problems disappeared. Whatever gets into the gutters is collected and down the downspouts (crab apples, leaves, pine needles, dead birds, etc.) and lawn service picks them up. - It is a little strange when you stand outside a corner of your unit in the fall and see leaving blowing around the corner and some being sucked up the downspout and then blowing away above the gutters.

If your home owners group has any power over the administrative manager, it might we wise to get a total complex makeover, since it is cheaper in the end by buying power and identical materials and methods. No one has complained about the cost per month because it is spread out over quite a few years if your home owners group has a good sense of money management and a reserve fund. We are in the middle of a new roof project (12 buildings over 4 years) with worst ones done first and it is going well. Our monthly fees increases are usually due to insurance costs and administrative costs.

Dick

 

Thank you all for the helpful and informative replies. My situation is very much like Concretemasonry’s. Seems like my next step is to approach our association with ideas much like he presented. I will check in my attic as well for insulation weaknesses — thank you Bud9051!

Thank you all again! I very much appreciate all of you and your help! This forum is the best!