Gutter & Brick Experts

[rdsherman]

The gutters and eaves are rusted/rotted out on the house we just purchased. We won't have time to repair and replace before winter. Run off from holes in the gutters has created brick damage where water has been directed on the walls (see pics). Would it be better to remove the gutters entirely in an attempt to disperse the water run off, or are gutters with holes better than no gutters at all?

Also, where the brick has been damaged by water and the face spalled, should we put some type of sealer on the brick in an attempt to protect if from further damage, or is it better to just leave it alone until we can get if repaired?

[mr Henry]

Nice house! I remember it from an earlier post with pictures. I can't imagine leaving it as is can cause much more damage than has already been done but if run off from the holes in the gutters have centralized damage then I'd just tear parts of them off as long as you can replace them within a reasonable amount of time. I wouldn't put any sealer on the brick either, too many reasons to list.... I think I'd try to minimally repair the roof to stop or slow water entry til spring when you can really fix the exterior starting with the eaves. Like I said, nice house, post some pics of the inside when you get a chance!!

[Lynners]

We are leaving the spalled bricks on our house as they are. Although to be fair, they are sporadic and more spread out, and not in a big clump like your house.

[triguy128]

I'm not suite sure why you don't have time to repair or repalce them before winter.... unless you plan on DIY. A professional company should be able to come in there and install new guttters in just a few days. The trouble is, early spring is when you need gutters the most and you won't be able to get them installed then either.

But that being said... in your case, you might be right. No gutters at all might actually be better than gutters with holes that direct water to the worst location possible. Either way, most of the water is still getting to the foundation perimeter...which is what the primary purpose of the gutters. Any way to jsut patch the worst offenders? Just get some sections of cheap K style or some roll flashing and try to patch them.

[rdsherman]

Thanks for the replies. The house sits on a hill, and the side that needs the most attention is 40 feet off the ground. Plus, an addition was added to this side that makes it even more difficult to access the eaves. We plan to remove the addition, which will make it easier. However, we found that instead of a header, they simply punched holed into the brick and set the ends of the rafters in the holes. Obviously the holes will have to be patched. It seems best to remove the addition, repair the eaves/gutters and do the brickwork all at once and I don't want to be half finished if the weather turns bad early.

Here's a pic of the addition and a couple from the inside. We're only the 3rd family to own it since it was built in 1870.

[melissakd]

Could you maybe rent a cherry-picker for the day and just spray in that as-seen-on-TV rubber stuff? Might improve matters a bit during the long limp to spring repair season.

MKD

[KristenS]

Reposting the pics a little smaller. In case anyone else has the trouble I had with seeing them!

[Don M]

I would also go for the bucket truck; maybe you could borrow the farglesnorker from the Olde Victorian owner! The interior shots look like it's in pretty good shape. Even the addition is older & looks solid! Good Luck

[eperot]

Wow. I see one heck of a beautiful house that needs lots of love. But what a gem you have there. And thank you for deciding to tear off that addition...it will look much better without.

I was going to suggest the spray on rubber to fix those smaller holes in your gutters. Sometimes owning an old house is like performing triage when you buy it...temporary fixes need doing just until you can do it more permanently later and keep it from getting worse.