How To Look At A House

McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of  

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Is a house required to have an eave overhang by code?

Monday, January 10, 2022

Code does not require a house to have an eave overhang. But the International Residential Code (IRC R318.5) requires installation of a gutter and downspout if there is no eave overhang or it is less than 6-inches. This is intended to keep rainwater away from the walls and foundation of a home as a termite preventative.

    Also see Are soffit/eave vents required by code for attic ventilation? and What is the small pipe sticking out of the eaves/soffit under the roof overhang? and What's causing those holes in the fascia? 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •  

  To learn more about roofs and attics, see these other blog posts:

Why is my roof sheathing sagging between the trusses?

Why is granule loss a problem for an asphalt shingle roof? 

What are the mistakes to avoid when doing attic improvements?

What causes roof shingles to curl up at corners?  

What causes shingles to buckle along a line on the roof? 

• Why is my roof leaking?

How can I inspect my roof for hurricane damage?

Why is premature curl of roof shingles a problem?

How can I tell if a roof has more than one layer of shingles? 

What are the common problems with attic insulation? 

What is the life expectancy of an asbestos cement shingle roof? 

What's the average lifespan of a roof?

Why is it a mistake to replace a roof and not replace its flashings? 

Why is there no attic access hatch in the house?

What is the building code requirement for an attic access hatch, scuttle, or door? 

Does a roof with multiple layers of shingles last longer?

What can I do to prevent roof leaks?

Are roof trusses better than roof rafters (stick framing)? 

Why is a popped nail in a shingle roof a problem? How do I fix it?

     Visit our ROOF AND ATTIC page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.



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