Gutter Downspout Onto Lower Roof

I just had gutters installed by a reputable company but am concerned that one of the downspouts on the upper level of a split roof empties onto the lower roof.

Gutter downspout onto lower roof.

Whenever you have an upper level roof draining onto the lower level roof that lower gutter now has to do double the work. Gutter hangers and gutter brackets allow gutters to attach to a house s eaves offering support and strength to the front edge. Housing inspectors from florida north and south carolina california new york and illinois note that letting upper roof downspouts or gutters discharge water onto lower roof surfaces does not. Erosion might be visible in 1 2 years or less or potentially be less severe all depending on the amount.

There is no building code citation that forbids a gutter from draining onto a lower roof. The shingle grit on a shingle s surface can erode under a gutter outlet or downspout. So it s a matter of what the home inspector or contractor considers acceptable. I did a warranty inspection on a big house in a development.

Also a gutter in a dormer that had no downspout but had the back end towards the roof surface open and the water just flows out the back and onto the lower roof. The contractor said this is a perfectly normal installation. Other pieces include elbows gutter. The downspout exit sits near the side of the lower roof and water falls off the side before continuing down to fall into the lower roof gutter.

Generally a contractor that drains a gutter onto a lower roof will say that it is an industry standard whereas a contractor that rants against it will say that it s. In this first picture one can see where the gutter has been cut off at the same pitch as the roof to let the gutter empty onto the roof surface. We have torrential downpours here occasionally and i am concerned that this will ruin my roof. This sometimes will cause splashing over the gutters.

Note also that the valley also sheds its water down the roof surface as well as opposed to into the gutter. The water is allowed to run on the roof surface and is collected by the lower gutters. Gutter end caps close off the ends of gutters keeping debris and water from flowing out at this point. It has to catch all the fresh rain that lands on the lower level roof as well as handle all the water flow from the upper level roof.

I have an upper roof downspout emptying onto a lower roof. I called these out and the owner sent the report to the builder toll brothers.