Small Eaves

[DawnCM]

Why are roof eaves so small in Britain, considering how much rain falls? If they were more on par with South Africa (just an example - it's the only other place I've lived) then surely part of the damp problem on walls would be avoided, as rain wouldn't just run off the roof and down the wall - more of it would hit the floor.

[hc4361]

That's what the guttering is for

[DawnCM]

Thanks, but on many buildings neither the eaves nor the gutters are on all sides of the building, so guttering does not answer my query.

[The Builder]

Yes, the guttering would take care of that, regardless of how much overhang there is on the eaves.

I guess you're referring to the gables, where there is no roof drainage. Most modern houses do have a certain amount of overhang on the gable verges. Ironically, water hitting the wall doesn't really matter as the walls are of cavity construction. The outer leaf is designed to be wet.

It's older properties, which are usually of solid wall construction, that often have little or no overhang at the gables. I agree. This is not ideal. It's just the way it is (or was.) It's called "tradition" ;o)

[Ryzen]

If the gable verge becomes wider, support may become an issue especially with clay/concrete tiles.

[Old_Geezer]

No expert but I suspect there is no need for more overhang than is required to work. Given a sufficient low point to run/drip off I'd not expect the water to run upwards sufficiently far, behind the low point, as to affect the wall.