What Is A Hidden Gutter? | All About Gutters Inc

When we want to place a gutter system in a building, whether it is a large construction or a single-family home, we must assess all the possibilities. One of them is the installation of hidden gutters integrated into the roof itself. Although it is true that these types of elements are more common in large constructions, they have characteristics that are interesting for any installation. Find out everything about hidden rainwater harvesting systems.

What is it for a rain gutter to be hidden?

When we speak of hidden gutters, we refer, as their name indicates, to ducts that cannot be seen from the outside of the building in which they are placed. They are usually placed integrated into the deck or roof itself, leaving a small overhang that protrudes to cover them. The professional installers rain gutters often used in these cases rectangular ducts. What makes these systems known in architecture as box gutters.

Regarding their usefulness, it must be emphasized that it is the same as that of the channels seen. So the choice of one or the other is not made based on practice but on aesthetics or aspects related to the construction of the building.

Advantages of hidden channels

As we have seen, the difference between these ducts and the conventional ones has to do exclusively with their installation. However, some aspects can make hidden gutters present certain advantages depending on the type of installation or building.

Cleaner appearance of the facade. By hiding within the roof itself, we have no more elements on the façade or cornices. Getting a more basic image of the construction without accessories or accessories. Since in these cases the downspouts are also usually hidden in the wall.

It is not necessary to provide the ducts with any type of finish. By being placed inside and not being seen from the outside, we can place the materials with their most basic finish. It is not necessary to put lacquered channels that increase the price of the installation.

Installing unseen gutters on a roof

Placing a system of hidden ducts for the evacuation of rainwater from a roof is not as simple as doing it visually. Especially because the assembly is integrated with the cover itself. So if you want to do it after the roof is installed, it will be necessary to remove part of it.

That is why these hidden gutters are usually installed at the same time as the roof and façade works are being carried out. There are different ways to put these ducts depending on the chosen system; we can mainly differentiate three types of installation:

Lengthening the facade. In other words, a wall is built that makes the façade stand out in the place where the ducts go.

With profile. In this case, some channels are simply placed that have a kind of screen that hides the ducts. However, the installation is done much like a view.

Integrating before the cornice. It involves laying the pipes at the same time as the roof just before the spoiler. In this way, the water from the roof pours into the duct, although a small cornice protrudes that spills to the outside.

Maintenance of hidden rain evacuation systems

It does not matter if it is exposed to installed channels or hidden ducts. It is very important in all cases to carry out maintenance and review of them at least once a year. Since the operation of the system will always depend on its being clean and in good condition. However, when we are faced with checking the channels hidden in the roof, it is true that the work can be complicated, so we must always have professionals from the sector.

This work focuses on preventing blockages from forming in upper ducts and gutter downspouts, as well as early detection of any incidents. We must bear in mind that a system in poor condition can end with the rupture of tubes and the appearance of humidity, which in hidden channels implies not only changing those parts but also having to do a work to be able to carry it out.