The screen enclosure at the rear of this home has damaged framing, and the super gutter above it is missing support and a downspout.
What we found
The screen enclosure framing at the rear of the home was partially damaged, with sections missing or removed. The super gutter — the wide channel that collects rainwater from the enclosure roof — was left without adequate structural support in those areas. There was no downspout at the super gutter's outflow location, the point where water is meant to exit.
Why it happens here
A screen enclosure's framing does two jobs: it holds the screen panels and it carries the weight and lateral loads of the super gutter above. A super gutter is a wide, built-in trough that gathers rain falling on the enclosure roof and funnels it to a single exit point. That exit point needs a downspout — a vertical pipe — to carry the water safely away. When the framing is incomplete, the gutter loses the support it relies on to hold its shape and position. Without a downspout, water leaving the gutter has no controlled path to follow.
What it means for you
A super gutter that lacks support can shift or sag, which affects its ability to move water in the intended direction.
What to do
A qualified screen enclosure contractor should evaluate the framing, restore the missing sections, assess the super gutter's current position and condition, and install an appropriate downspout at the outflow location.
How common is this
Screen enclosure framing and drainage are standard items inspectors examine and report on, and repairs of this type are routinely carried out by screen enclosure contractors.
Getting a contractor's eyes on the framing and drainage together — rather than separately — tends to be the most straightforward path to a lasting fix.
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