Building Codes
Building Codes | Gutter Replacements | Roofing | Birchwood
Birchwood’s rolling hills and leafy lanes deserve roofing and drainage systems that stand up to Tennessee’s sudden downpours without spoiling the view. HEP’s team pairs local knowledge with strict adherence to municipal and IRC guidelines, ensuring every shingle line, fascia board, and downspout meets code before the first raindrop falls. From precise slope calculations to corrosion-resistant fasteners, we obsess over the small print so you can focus on the big picture—long-term protection and lasting curb appeal.
Whether you’re battling overflowing eaves or rusted troughs, our code-compliant gutter replacements keep water where it belongs: away from your foundation, flowerbeds, and walkways. We match profiles, colors, and leaf-guard options to your home’s style, schedule installations around your routine, and leave every job site cleaner than we found it. With HEP, you get craftsmanship that’s as reliable as our promises and service that flows as smoothly as a freshly installed gutter system.
FAQs
Do I need a permit to replace a roof or gutters on my Birchwood home?
Yes. The Birchwood Building Department treats any roof covering replacement of more than 100 sq ft and any full-length gutter replacement as a regulated alteration. Homeowners or their contractors must submit a short Building/Mechanical permit application, pay the fee (typically $40–$75 for a single-family dwelling), and provide a brief scope-of-work description. Work cannot begin until the permit card is issued and displayed on-site.
Which codes apply to roofing and gutter replacements in Birchwood?
Birchwood adopts the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) and the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) with local amendments. Roofing materials must comply with IRC Chapter 9 and ASTM/UL listings. Gutter design and fastening follows IRC R801.3 plus a local rule that minimum gutter capacity be sized for a 3-in/hr rainfall event. Ice-barrier, drip-edge, and flashing rules mirror IRC R905. Shingle, metal, and low-slope membranes must carry at least a Class A fire rating.
What are the minimum slope and sizing requirements for new gutters?
Gutters must be pitched not less than 1⁄16 in. per linear foot (≈1 % slope) toward each downspout. Downspouts must be placed at least every 40 ft. The city sizing table requires 5-in. (K-style) or 6-in. (half-round) gutters for roof areas up to 2,400 sq ft. Larger roof areas require 6-in. K-style or engineered custom profiles. Strap or bracket spacing may not exceed 24 in. on center (18 in. for snow-exposed roof edges).
Does Birchwood require ice-dam protection or special underlayment?
Because Birchwood is in Climate Zone 6, an ice-barrier underlayment is mandatory. At least two layers of underlayment cemented together, or a self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen sheet, must extend from the eave’s edge to a line 24 in. inside the exterior wall plane. Standard #15 felt or synthetic underlayment is then installed to the ridge per shingle manufacturer instructions. Metal roofs must have a slip sheet between the ice-barrier and the panels to prevent adhesion.
Where can my downspouts discharge?
Local storm-water rules (Municipal Code §22-63) prohibit discharge onto sidewalks or neighboring lots. Downspouts must terminate 5 ft or more from any foundation wall and direct water to a splash block, underground drain, or approved rain garden. Connection to the city storm sewer requires a separate plumbing permit and backwater valve. Discharge to the sanitary sewer is not allowed.
What inspections are required and can I do the work myself?
Birchwood schedules two inspections: 1) a “dry-in” inspection after the ice-barrier and underlayment are installed but before shingles or panels are laid; 2) a final inspection covering roof covering, gutters, downspout termination, and site clean-up. Homeowners may perform work on a single-family home they occupy, but the city strongly recommends hiring a licensed roofing contractor. Contractors must show either a Tennessee LLE or Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor license, depending on the Birchwood jurisdiction, and carry minimum $300,000 liability insurance.