[ShotDoctor]

Can someone explain to me why on a BRAND NEW HOME gutters and downspouts are not installed? Is there some theory or logic that these are truly optional since there are no basements? It seems EVERY home in developed neighborhoods have them.

[kansasr]

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[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by ShotDoctor

Can someone explain to me why on a BRAND NEW HOME gutters and downspouts are not installed? Is there some theory or logic that these are truly optional since there are no basements? It seems EVERY home in developed neighborhoods have them.

Gutters were not standard issue as far back as 2014 when my home was built. The only gutters installed on my home are those across the exits: the front door and out the lanai.

Many in the neighborhood have had them installed, I have not. If gutters were installed then all the water would be concentrated into one area. Either that area would thrive due to the extra water or it would die due to the concentration of <whatever> being washed off the roof. Without gutters the runoff is distributed around the house. Either my lawn benefits over the entire perimeter of my roof or any <whatever> is less concentrated and less likely to harm my lawn.

The only negative impact I have seen in the seven years I have owned the home is some washout where the water from the roof impacts the non-seeded areas behind the shrubs. Maintaining a layer of mulch take care of that by cushioning and absorbing the falling water.

[charlie1]

We have built new or purchased several spec homes in different parts of Florida and not once did they have gutters. Coming from a Northern state in 1983, I asked the first couple of builders. They indicated that the main reason for gutters north, was to keep the water from the foundation where it can freeze, expand, and cause leakage or other damage. Since we have no major freezes, they indicated it was an unnecessary expense. I always added them anyway!

[retiredguy123]

Note that the builder does install gutters on courtyard villas.

[asianthree]

First house in 2007 then 2009, 2010, 2012, gutters were installed at door front entrance only. Gutters were not offered at our design team meeting in 2021. Developer could have made at least another $50,000 plus, on upgrades, but the answer was No

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by ShotDoctor

Can someone explain to me why on a BRAND NEW HOME gutters and downspouts are not installed? Is there some theory or logic that these are truly optional since there are no basements? It seems EVERY home in developed neighborhoods have them.

Live in the SS area and 75% of my gutters are useless. Leaves clog them up and guards do not work. Only have gutters near doors/walkways. Now get more even distribution of water off the roof and no longer have to clean those gutters

[Marathon Man]

I researched this before deciding to add gutters to my brand new home. They are optional in Florida. I decided that I wanted gutters across the front to keep the entrance and driveway clean. Not all that much more to do the entire house, so that's what I did.

[fdpaq0580]

Aesthetics. Roofline trim. Since gutters only stick out about 3 inches once you are beyond them you still have rain to deal with.

[firefighter4u]

to keep initial costs down.

[dewilson58]

A lot of people (including Premier Homes) don't want them.

[MarshBendLover]

Retired builder. Gutters are to control water and keep it away from the foundation so your crawlspace or basement remains dry. Gutters serve no purpose to protect a slab foundation if ground is properly sloped. They also increase the damage to a home. I repaired many homes with rotted fascia, soffits and OSB sheathing. I upgraded my other home with Hardie plank and ran a 4" metal drip guard under the steel roof when I installed the roof.

I was glad I only had a gutter over the garage, doors and lanai here. Saw a house over in Caroline last year that was for sale. The back had heavy fascia/soffit damage from a gutter that was no longer level and it was right under a large tree. I'm sure a ladder kept pushing it down.

[villagetinker]

One other point, if you install gutters, you will have then concentrated the rain from the roof into a few locations, instead of around the entire house. Be very careful, you will probably need to install underground piping to a suitable location and then a popup drain cover. We had additional gutters installed in the front of the house, the drain was not handled well, lawn died, had to have the drain relocated, and lawn resodded. IMHO, unless you are having a specific problem with rainwater run off do not install gutters these are more of a problem than what they were installed to prevent.

[DrMack]

It costs less money. Just like skipping screens on lanais, not installing ceiling fans, putting in MDF cabinets etc. The builder saves money. Can you blame him?

[wisbad1]

Originally Posted by kansasr

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They quit putting fans in the new ones.