Gutter supports for exposed rafter tails (feet/ends/etc

[PlumbBob]

Hi all,

 

My first real post, so please go easy on me…

 

I’m in the middle of a renovation and extension in the north west, which was originally going to be a building contractor project but for various reasons is morphing into a sort-of self-build completion, from the Christmas break. At least I have a (slate) roof now.

 

In trying to finish what we can while scaffolding is in place, we’ve been looking at installing guttering. Cast iron-look PVC makes most sense to match existing. We also have exposed rafter (/spar) feet or tails and not fascia boards (choose whichever word suits - varying terminology seems to be another challenge to keep things interesting).

 

After scouring websites and picking brains of the local builders merchants it appeared Brett Martin Cascade Cast Iron is the most appropriate range, and using BM side-mounted rafter supports (BRS5 from memory) to mount the gutter brackets (as there’s no fascia) - see photos. TBH these do look a bit clunky, and on dry fit dont let us install the gutter correctly (eg respecting Building Regs 50mm overhang between slates eaves tray/saver and gutter), mainly due to the twist in the gutter support not allowing the support to sit flush on the rafter tail in the position we needed relative to the gutter.

 

So I then swapped to use Polypipe galvanised gutter side-mount rafter support which allows direct mounting of the gutter to the rafter support without needing a separate (fascia) bracket. Much neater, other things being equal.

 

However, again the twist in the Polypipe support also doesnt allow the gutter to be positioned correctly, so we had to revert to screwing the Brett Martin fascia bracket directly into the end grain of the rafter tail, which just doesnt look right.

 

Looking at the whole situation, to me it looks like the slates and eaves tray don’t extend far enough (which would have allowed the rafter supports to be fitted without fouling on the twist in the support), or more fundamentally the building contractor/joiners/roofers (none would put their hands up for guttering) should have specced/installed top-mount rafter gutter supports before slating started. Obviously its now too late for either of those solutions.

 

My question is mainly whether is this situation there is any other or better way of fixing guttering to exposed rafter tails that anyone can suggest, ideally for Brett Martin PVC cast iron guttering?

 

 

TIA for any help offered.

 

cheers,

PlumbBob

 

 

[Iceverge]

Welcome welcome. 

 

We all love problems. Espically when we can pat our egos by solving them!

 

The simplest solution looks to be to just screw the brackets directly into the rafters tails. 

 

Why wouldn't this work? 

[Susie]

Our gutter is screwed on to the rafter tails. It’s been up 20+ years no problems if you get the required drain slope to down pipe it’s ok. 

[joe90]

you only need the brackets to extend out, why not just screw gutter brackets to the end grain of the renters?

[torre]

Agree with fixing into the rafter tails, somewhere up by your scaffold board in second pic. Looks like you could use something like Brett Martin BR043Cl and screw into the end grain

 

 

[PlumbBob]

Hi all - thanks to all. We did end up screwing the gutter brackets into the end grain of the rafter tails as we couldnt see any other way of doing it and are under time pressure. Its good to hear you agree, and Susie’s have been up 20+ years! One less problem to worry about. 🙏