Gutters, downspouts and roof drainage

Treat collection, overflow, icing and discharge away from foundations as one system.

VERT / GREEN = entretien/documentation · JAUNE / YELLOW = vérifier avant travaux · ROUGE / RED = arrêter le DIY et faire valider.

Frequent overflow
Check slope, blockage, capacity, downspout count and roof area. Downspout discharges at foundation
Correct discharge without redirecting water to a neighbour or prohibited area. Recurring ice dam
Address air leakage/insulation and drainage before treating only the symptom. Seasonal cleaning
Inspect fasteners, joints, corrosion and outlets.

What the professional checks

Verify capacity, slope and discharge
Coordinate roof, soffit and foundation drainage

Official sources

RNCan — toitures et barrages de glace

Checked: 2026-08-22

Related path

Continue with the right tools

These links connect this page to the next useful checks and decisions without repeating the full content.

Start from a symptomOrganize plausible causes, observations, urgency and the right professional.Open →Track water useCompare meter readings and flag unusual changes.Open →Review water resilienceConnect flooding, drainage and future events to building adaptations.Open →Score home resiliencePrioritize water, outages, fire, climate, health and records.Open →Plan site, drainage and utilitiesCoordinate access, water, sewer, wells, septic, grading and site constraints.Open →

Special check related to this project

Property lines and neighbour work

Open →

V14

Systems to check before closing the work

V14 connects envelope, air, fire, structure, water and code instead of treating each project in isolation.

Renovation dependenciesRoof penetrations and flashingPlumbing pressure and systemCode versions

V15

Remaining system checks not to miss

V15 covers issues that can block a project, cause a loss or become expensive once concealed.

Before closing wallsPrivate sewer/water servicePost-renovation commissioningCodes + climate by province

V16

Advanced diagnostics to cross-check

V16 connects water, soil, climate, safety, materials and seasonal use to existing projects.

Roof snow and iceJobsite safety and silicaRainwater and greywaterPyrite, pyrrhotite and ochre

V17

Specialized systems to cross-check

V17 completes gas, soil, water, fire, climate and structural interfaces.

Wildfire and embersCulvert and ditch

V18

Specialized diagnostics to verify

V18 connects systems that become costly or regulated when a primary project triggers them.

Low-slope roofRoof deck over living space

V19

Edge systems to integrate into the project

V19 covers interfaces that become important when multiple home systems interact.

Skylight/tubular daylightingGreen roofStormwater infiltration

V26

Often-overlooked service interfaces

V26 connects systems that cross utility, plumbing, HVAC, envelope and metering boundaries.

Electrical service, mast and meter

V28

Finish and service details to verify

V28 connects small details that become costly once finishes are closed.

Slate or clay tile roofingPlumbing cleanouts and service accessCladding clearance above grade

V30

Shared, access and specialized interfaces

V30 connects projects where multiple systems, owners or rules meet.

Solar PV: roof attachment, structure and flashing

V32

Post-disaster and legacy systems

V32 connects contamination, storm damage, legacy materials and recommissioning before rebuilding.

Hail: roof and envelope impact assessment

V47

V47 interfaces not to miss

These details are small on a drawing but can control water, structure or durability.

Roof-wall kickoutBuilding trapCast-iron stackRoof-edge drip