Hi,
My house was built in 1840 and has a two storey bay window. The roof has a sunken lead covering with a shallow integral gutter running at the back along the wall of the house. this gutter is linked to a normal gutter on either side of the bay. The problem is that it cannot cope with heavy rainfall or the amount of ice and snow we have had recently. The water can literally pour into the house. Two builders have said it is a poor design and little can be done. We are in a conservation area so cannot significantly alter the look of the house.
I would be grateful for any helpful comments.
Many thanks, Ruth

It's a good bet that it hasn't been leaking for the last 165 years, so the
original 1840 design is probably ok. See if you can find old pictures of
your house to see what's different now. It may just be something simple.
If you need to change the look of your house, you probably need to get the
approval of the conservation board (or planning board, or whatever they call
it). A lot of it is politics. If you can't find old picture to use as proof,
then you need to hire an architect (and maybe a lawyer) that everyone on the
board likes. The architect will probably be able to tell you what will fly,
and what won't. While they are drawing up plans, sit in on a couple of the
board meetings. If most people bring a lawyer, then hire one you see there
who impresses you. Some of those board people are nice, and some of them are
wanna be dictators.

"ruththompson" wrote in message
...

Hi,
My house was built in 1840 and has a two storey bay window. The roof
has a sunken lead covering with a shallow integral gutter running at
the back along the wall of the house. this gutter is linked to a
normal gutter on either side of the bay. The problem is that it cannot
cope with heavy rainfall or the amount of ice and snow we have had
recently. The water can literally pour into the house. Two builders
have said it is a poor design and little can be done. We are in a
conservation area so cannot significantly alter the look of the house.
I would be grateful for any helpful comments.
Many thanks, Ruth


--
ruththompson

you could start with a giant one-piece blue tarp to keep the water away
from your house. provide holes for the chimneys and vent pipes. now
you've got some time to figure this out.
often a plumber is needed if a handyman can't clear your downspouts of
leaves or underground trap blockage if the rainwater is carried
underground to a storm sewer. call around for an older roofing company
and check with the neighbors and neighborhood historical association
for assistance,