Household Rainwater Guttering Explained
Rainwater guttering systems are designed to channel water away from a buildings base to protect its foundation. They also protect masonry, stop water draining into basements and cellars, protect paintwork by helping keep dry and collect water for other uses such as gardening.
Rain gutters can be constructed from a variety of materials, including steel, cast iron, copper, zinc, aluminum, PVC (and other plastics),GRP and wood.
Water collected by a rain gutter is fed, usually via a down pipe (traditionally called a leader), from the roof edge to the base of the building where it is either drained away or collected. A cistern or barrel can be used to store water collected from the gutter.
A combination of the following components make up a Rainwater System.
Gutters - the horizontal pipe on the edge of the roof acts to collect water off the tiles. A wide range of profiles are available for gutters to match the aesthetics of the building.
The drain or collection barrel is used to collect water directed by the down pipes. A network of pipes and joints are used to connect the system together and navigate its way down the building.
Hoppers - Multiple pipes can be directed to a hopper and channeled to a single down pipe.
Accessories - Brackets, clips, ends and outlets are used to connect the rainwater system together and to secure it to the building.[/.
To filter out roof debris such as leaves, moss and broken tiles many rainwater systems will include a louver or screen above the main gutter pipe.
Most modern guttering requires no maintenance other than periodical cleaning out. If blocked then water can overflow down the side of the building. Blocked gutters can also lead to stagnant water build up which allows grasses and weeds to grow in the gutter.
Types of gutters
Different styles of gutter, known as profiles, are produced.
Concealed within the structure of the roof you will find a deep gutter called a box gutter.
A popular variety of rain gutter is "Seamless". This product is created, on site, in long individual lengths of gutter to suit roof edge conditions, thereby reducing seams along the length of the gutter. Gutters come in different sizes, finishes and shaopes.
To allow water to flow through from the roof while reducing roof debris into the gutter, you can use a gutter screen, louvers or a solid hood.
Precautions
Clogged gutters can cause water leakage into the house as the water backs up. Clogged gutters can also lead to stagnant water build up which allows mosquitoes to breed and also allow grasses and weeds to grow in the gutter.
Gutters in colder climates also suffer the effects of freezing. However this can be mitigated through the use of heating cables placed in the trays that become activated in freezing weather.
Rain gutters can be constructed from a variety of materials, including steel, cast iron, copper, zinc, aluminum, PVC (and other plastics),GRP and wood.
Water collected by a rain gutter is fed, usually via a down pipe (traditionally called a leader), from the roof edge to the base of the building where it is either drained away or collected. A cistern or barrel can be used to store water collected from the gutter.
A combination of the following components make up a Rainwater System.
Gutters - the horizontal pipe on the edge of the roof acts to collect water off the tiles. A wide range of profiles are available for gutters to match the aesthetics of the building.
The drain or collection barrel is used to collect water directed by the down pipes. A network of pipes and joints are used to connect the system together and navigate its way down the building.
Hoppers - Multiple pipes can be directed to a hopper and channeled to a single down pipe.
Accessories - Brackets, clips, ends and outlets are used to connect the rainwater system together and to secure it to the building.[/.
To filter out roof debris such as leaves, moss and broken tiles many rainwater systems will include a louver or screen above the main gutter pipe.
Most modern guttering requires no maintenance other than periodical cleaning out. If blocked then water can overflow down the side of the building. Blocked gutters can also lead to stagnant water build up which allows grasses and weeds to grow in the gutter.
Types of gutters
Different styles of gutter, known as profiles, are produced.
Concealed within the structure of the roof you will find a deep gutter called a box gutter.
A popular variety of rain gutter is "Seamless". This product is created, on site, in long individual lengths of gutter to suit roof edge conditions, thereby reducing seams along the length of the gutter. Gutters come in different sizes, finishes and shaopes.
To allow water to flow through from the roof while reducing roof debris into the gutter, you can use a gutter screen, louvers or a solid hood.
Precautions
Clogged gutters can cause water leakage into the house as the water backs up. Clogged gutters can also lead to stagnant water build up which allows mosquitoes to breed and also allow grasses and weeds to grow in the gutter.
Gutters in colder climates also suffer the effects of freezing. However this can be mitigated through the use of heating cables placed in the trays that become activated in freezing weather.
Source...