roofing question

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rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
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Almost 2 years ago we had a new 2nd floor done and I wasn't too educated on the little things such as gutters and roofing. We have a "30-year shingle" but the way they finished the gutters, it leads the water sliding down the roof until it reaches the 1st floor set of gutters. Is this really bad for the longevity of the roof in that area? I see other houses and they use an extension that goes directly into the 1st floor gutter. It's not the cleanest look (and maybe that's what our contractor was going for), but maybe it makes the most sense. NY has about avg amount of rainfall a year. Should I be extending it?

unfinished.jpg
 
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Sluggo

Lifer
Jun 12, 2000
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It should be extended past the siding trim (not critical, but avoids one area of leaking) but beyond that looks normal to me. Assuming the 1st floor gutters aren't overwhelmed by the amount of water they receive.
 

skimple

Golden Member
Feb 4, 2005
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This will wear on your shingles with ice melt and rain both using this as a causeway. It wore the granules off my neighbor's house in a straight line down to the lower gutter, and he had nothing left but the underlayment. He had to replace his entire roof because of that small area.

It will take a long time to wear out, but assuming that you are planning on being in that house for 10-15 years, you probably want to put something preventative in now.

You can get a piece of downpipe and paint it black (or close to your shingle color). That won't be as obvious. Another solution would be a piece of black aluminum sheeting.
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
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the difficulty with trying to pipe that water is ice, snow and wind, and the necessity to fasten it in such a manner as to cause leaks at that point.
you can make a mount that fastens through the lower gutter into the facia board, and seal all that up with a good roofing sealer.
 

Leymenaide

Senior member
Feb 16, 2010
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You have had three excellent answers. Should rename this place "This old House"
It does not look to me that the volume of water you have from the roof sections will be a big problem. A six inch extension away from the corner would be nice.
 

Mixolydian

Lifer
Nov 7, 2011
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gilramirez.net
You will never get 30 years out of any shingles anyway, so it doesn't really matter. My house has the same type of configuration and there has never been a problem (that I know of).
 

Markbnj

Elite Member <br>Moderator Emeritus
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Sep 16, 2005
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Yep, normal. The portion of our second story roof that overlooks the garage drains onto the garage roof, and then to the ground via the first floor downspouts.
 
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