Rainwater Disposal: Gutters and Downpipes

The rainwater collection and disposal system consists of gutters and downspouts. Without the presence of such a system, the rain would wash away freely along the perimeter walls of a building, dragging dirt and aggressive chemical agents with it which could cause deterioration of the walls and the formation of spots and streaks with consequent aesthetic damage.



However, beyond the external deterioration, the rainwater could also penetrate inside the wall structure, causing infiltrations and, in the long run, structural damage. To pursue this aim it is important that gutters and downspouts are not damaged and are always kept in good condition.

How to Design a Rainwater Disposal System

The shape and pattern of the gutters depend on the type of roofing. Thus, in a roof with different pitches or with a roof at different heights, the rain drainage system will also be very complex, sometimes even to the detriment of the aesthetics of the building.

Gutters are rainwater collection channels that convey them into vertical pipes called downspouts. The rainwater itself is collected by the gutters, flowing from the tiles, in the case of a pitched roof, or from the attic itself, which is given a suitable slope, in the case of flat roofs.

The gutters are fixed along the perimeter of the roof, a few centimeters apart, using dowels or storks. The fixing must be rather firm, to make the channels able to support loads consisting of atmospheric agents such as wind and snow, but also concentrated loads, such as the support of a ladder.

In order for the water to flow correctly towards the downspouts, the gutters must have a slight slope of at least 1%, i.e. one centimeter per meter of length. Downspouts used for homes have a diameter of between 60 and 120 mm. In particular, the greater the distance between the pipes, the greater their diameter. Their fastening system consists of a collar that rotates around the pipe and is fixed to the masonry with a dowel.

To avoid blockages, various types of filters are used, internal or external. The leaf stoppers, for example, are external filters consisting of a sort of metal cage to be positioned at the mouth of the pipes. The internal filters are instead placed inside the pipes, to collect and filter the debris.

Materials for Gutters and Downspouts

The piping system formed by gutters and downspouts can be made with various types of materials:

  • Galvanized steel
  • Stainless steel
  • Aluminum and its alloys
  • Rigid PVC
  • Copper
  • Titanium zinc.

The choice of one or the other material depends on some factors such as the type of roof and the place where the building is located. In fact, it will be necessary to evaluate the local meteorological conditions and estimate the amount of rain that will have to be disposed of.  More than considering the average rainfall of the place, however, it will be useful to inquire about the maximum recorded in recent years, in order to size the channels for the worst-case scenario.

PVC is a light and easy-to-install material, very resistant to bad weather, and cheap. Its flaw, however, is the aesthetic aspect.

Copper is very resistant, in particular, it is not afraid of oxidation. It is quite expensive, but on the other hand, it is able to last a very long time, at least 30 years and even 50, if you are careful to carry out good periodic maintenance.  Aluminum represents a good solution because it is very light, resistant, and aesthetically pleasing. It is especially suited to large lengths and allows numerous profiles and a wide choice of colors. Zinc is very resistant to corrosion and cold and can last more than 50 years. However, it is very expensive and difficult to implement, so it is not used frequently.

Types of Gutters

Also from the point of view of shape, various types of gutters can be found on the market. The most common because they are also simple to hook up is the semi-round ones, with an arched profile. Then there are the square profile gutters, used above all in cottages. On the other hand, corrugated gutters are straight at the base and wavy in the exposed part, so they are very useful for obtaining particular profiles suitable for classic buildings.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Advantages Of Installing Hidden Gutters | All About Gutters Inc

Image
When installing the gutters in our home we have several options: circular, rectangular, metal, PVC and even continuous gutters. The latter are very interesting due to the advantages they bring to the water evacuation system. The gutters without joints are mainly made of aluminum and copper since these materials allow manufacturing of up to 35 meters in length, although in most cases they are made to measure directly on site. Next, we tell you the main benefits of this rainwater evacuation system. Lower Risk Of Leaks The hidden gutters are assembled by overlapping and sealing parts thereof with putty to facilitate uniformity of joints. The problem is that this putty suffers the deterioration caused, cannot only by the constant passage of water, but also by the weather and by the passage of time, cracking and even coming off in large part or in its entirety. Therefore, by not needing additional materials for sealing or welding, continuous aluminum gutters improve their durabil
Read more

10 Fun Facts About Rain Gutters

Image
As you already know, rain gutters are of great importance to keep your home protected from the problems that water brings and in good working order. But did they know that gutters already existed thousands of years ago in Greece and ancient Rome? If you don't believe it, read these 10 fun facts about rain gutters that few people know about. 10 things you didn't know about rain gutters 1 Did you know that the ancient Romans used gargoyles in their constructions that served as rain gutters? The gargoyles directed the water from important places of the buildings towards drains or deposits. Some even believed that gargoyles also scared away evil spirits from houses. 2 The Romans introduced the use of gutters in ancient Britain. It was there that the most significant advances in drainage and canals were developed for a long time. 3 The form of rain gutters as we know it was invented in the early 1900s. 4 The first gutter systems that have been recorded historicall
Read more

GUTTER INSTALLATION

Image
At All About Gutters Inc ., Gutter Installation in Burnaby , aluminum gutters are seamless and the only seams are on the outside corners. Unlike traditional gutters that need to be glued in sections and pieced together, seamless gutters give you peace of mind knowing that you never have to worry about leaks or seam breaks. All our Seamless Gutters are custom fabricated on-site and made specifically for your home or building. Our rain gutters are measured and built on-site to the exact specifications of your roofline which means no leaks for you. This is how it works: rain gutters are either sectional or seamless.
Read more