12-18-2009, 02:49 PM
Gutters on a house in high volume precipitation areas are a must if you don't have enough overhang. There are a number of reasons for this and it's not limited to just one or two reasons. Technically speaking - you should divert roof water 10' away from your house foundation/footings, especially if you’re in sediment soils. Heavy Roof slope and rain – anything greater than 1/4" per foot is relatively pointless these days. Slope has become an architectural (appearance) feature and has little to no bearing on today’s roof systems unless it’s a deep snow related feature. Long gone are the days that required palm leaves, moss, bark, tree pitch and other vegetable matter, asphalt tiles, clay tiles, etc.
Edit to add -
Gutters can be used as part of a catchment system but they are NOT EXCLUSIVELY catchment related and were not created for catchment systems, they are an integral part of the roof water management system.
Unless you purchased this house as a builder development type home after it was completed and placed on the market. Anything that was submitted on your plans are part of your contract and by law to be on the house unless you signed a waiver, put in a change order or made a verbal agreement otherwise. From what it sounds like to me... it sounds as if your contractor is still responsible to put them on via his or her nickel. Also; if your plans or contract called for a Paloma water heater, the contractor is responsible to install a Paloma or something of equal quality and value if no Paloma was available at the time of installation.
E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.
Edit to add -
Gutters can be used as part of a catchment system but they are NOT EXCLUSIVELY catchment related and were not created for catchment systems, they are an integral part of the roof water management system.
Unless you purchased this house as a builder development type home after it was completed and placed on the market. Anything that was submitted on your plans are part of your contract and by law to be on the house unless you signed a waiver, put in a change order or made a verbal agreement otherwise. From what it sounds like to me... it sounds as if your contractor is still responsible to put them on via his or her nickel. Also; if your plans or contract called for a Paloma water heater, the contractor is responsible to install a Paloma or something of equal quality and value if no Paloma was available at the time of installation.
E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.