Gutter issue

[addey]

I live in a semi-detached house, both ourselves and the neighbors have done a very similar rear extension. When we did our extension 6yrs ago (they had done theirs a few yrs previously) the builder joined the new gutter above our extension into their gutter without fitting a downpipe on our side. Recently the neighbor has spoken to us about doing something with our gutter as their gutter keeps overflowing and has damaged the render, and they feel it is because the gutter can't cope with the rainfall off 2 roofs. They have suggested fitting deeper guttering (deep flow or something like that). This is obviously cheaper than us ripping up our patio to do a soakaway or join the current drains, and I'm not averse to doing this and contributing to the cost.

However, I went out today and cleared our gutter (full of crap, which probably contributes to the issue!) and I realised that the downpipe on their side is situated right next to the boundary. So effectively the downpipe is in the middle of our 6mtrs of gutter and their 8metres of gutter. I'm therefore thinking that the problem they are experiencing is not really anything to do with our section of guttering, as surely any rainfall from our side is going down the downpipe before reaching their side? Is it possible for there to be enough water to overwhelm the downpipe and therefore fill the whole length of guttering? The gutter on their side is looking a bit wobbly and knackered which I suspect is the real reason it is overflowing at certain points....

Any thoughts as to whether I really need to replace my guttering?? Or should I be telling them its not my problem (apart from the fact my lazy builder thought it would be OK to just connect into their gutter......)

[greygoose]

Is the downpipe full of leaves etc which stops the water going down so the gutters fill up? Mine was when we had gutter overflowing regularly and I've put a wire ball in the top to stop all the rubbish going down the downpipe.

[RobXjcoupe]

Just connecting on to the neighbours guttering and using their downpipe is an issue.

[Aluminati]

RobXjcoupe said:

Just connecting on to the neighbours guttering and using their downpipe is an issue.

Agreed. For neighbourly relations, i’d put a bit of deepflow up.

Most do a version of it, usually semi eliptical.

Marley or Hunter are ok if doing it in plastic.

[SAB888]

The neighbour is completely justified in being annoyed with the gutter being connected to his. His system is now taking nearly twice as much rainwater and he's quite correct in bringing this up.This should not have happened.

[addey]

Oh I agree that it should never have been done that way but I didn't even realise at the time of the work being done that it was

SAB888 said:

His system is now taking nearly twice as much rainwater and he's quite correct in bringing this up.

But this is really the crux of my question - as the downpipe is between our 2 sections of gutter, albeit on his side, is his system really taking twice as much rainwater? Or is all my rainwater disappearing down the downpipe before reaching his gutter?

[cossy400]

SAB888 said:

The neighbour is completely justified in being annoyed with the gutter being connected to his. His system is now taking nearly twice as much rainwater and he's quite correct in bringing this up.This should not have happened.

Your going to have to explain your thinking on this.

The OP has stated that the down pipe is 6 metres in from his side and 8 metres in from the neighbours side,

So again as the OP has said the water should effectively be gone before it reaches the neighbours side.

Maybe this issue hasnt arisen before but seeing as we ve experienced alot of rain fall of late its maybe brought it to a head as such.

And id rather have it joined to the neighbour than have 2 downpipes in close proximity.

And i assume from reading the OP again its been fine for the last 6 years since the OP added his extension?

As has been said check for leaves etc and go from there, but maybe for neighbourly relations id be sticking my hand in my pocket if i needed to with a contribution to repair the render.

[bennno]

addey said:

I live in a semi-detached house, both ourselves and the neighbors have done a very similar rear extension. When we did our extension 6yrs ago (they had done theirs a few yrs previously) the builder joined the new gutter above our extension into their gutter without fitting a downpipe on our side. Recently the neighbor has spoken to us about doing something with our gutter as their gutter keeps overflowing and has damaged the render, and they feel it is because the gutter can't cope with the rainfall off 2 roofs. They have suggested fitting deeper guttering (deep flow or something like that). This is obviously cheaper than us ripping up our patio to do a soakaway or join the current drains, and I'm not averse to doing this and contributing to the cost.

However, I went out today and cleared our gutter (full of crap, which probably contributes to the issue!) and I realised that the downpipe on their side is situated right next to the boundary. So effectively the downpipe is in the middle of our 6mtrs of gutter and their 8metres of gutter. I'm therefore thinking that the problem they are experiencing is not really anything to do with our section of guttering, as surely any rainfall from our side is going down the downpipe before reaching their side? Is it possible for there to be enough water to overwhelm the downpipe and therefore fill the whole length of guttering? The gutter on their side is looking a bit wobbly and knackered which I suspect is the real reason it is overflowing at certain points....

Any thoughts as to whether I really need to replace my guttering?? Or should I be telling them its not my problem (apart from the fact my lazy builder thought it would be OK to just connect into their gutter......)

I’d be discussing an offer to fund the replacement deep flow gutter across both properties and an upsized downpipe if you plan to continue to drain rainwater via their property.

Even if the drain pipe is almost in the middle, it’s their down pipe and probably sized for their roof as opposed to yours the increased flow may result in it overflowing.

If I were them I’d be asking you to separate your guttering.....

[SAB888]

The neighbour's extension was done 2 years before the OP's, so the downpipe is in the neighbour's property and takes the rainwater from his roof. It should have been designed to take the amount of rainwater for the neighbour's extension only.

Unless I've got this wrong, the OP's gutter connects to the neighbour's gutter and uses the neighbour's downpipe. The OP's gutter should discharge rainwater independently and not potentially overload the neighbour's system.

[cossy400]

However, I went out today and cleared our gutter (full of crap, which probably contributes to the issue!) and I realised that the downpipe on their side is situated right next to the boundary. So effectively the downpipe is in the middle of our 6mtrs of gutter and their 8metres of gutter. I'm therefore thinking that the problem they are experiencing is not really anything to do with our section of guttering, as surely any rainfall from our side is going down the downpipe before reaching their side? Is it possible for there to be enough water to overwhelm the downpipe and therefore fill the whole length of guttering? The gutter on their side is looking a bit wobbly and knackered which I suspect is the real reason it is overflowing at certain points....


Can someone explain to me how im reading this wrong to everyone else?

[g7jtk]

Deep flow is only going to hold more leaves even though I favour this style of gutter. If there was two outlets in the gutter that discharge into the one down pipe will give a larger effective outlet. A screen will also help but regular cleaning of the gutter is essential.

[BaldOldMan]

Where does the downpipe go ? is it into a drain, or some sort of soakaway ?

A single downpipes should have a reasonable capacity - so as others have suggested - make sure that isn't blocked & is relatively free flowing as a first step.

The other point is valid - you should really have your own downpipe, so if it makes more financial sense - just suck it up & help your neighbour fix the problem otherwise they could likely just disconnect you.....