Gutters – An Introductory Guide
Posted on December 18, 2009 by Samuel Cheeseman
The Purpose of Guttering
Rain gutters form part of the roofing system of a property and are designed to transfer any water away from the roof and down to ground level. A roof is usually designed in a way that will shed water to avoid it collecting and causing any damage. The water is shed into the guttering system which prevents it from running off of the roof. It is then often transferred via the downspout into a drain. This helps to reduce damage to the exterior walls, fascias, doors and windows of the property by limiting any exposure to water. Protection of the foundations and any underground area such as the basement is also increased by keeping water away. A gutter can also provide a way to collect rainwater when required.
There are many forms of guttering currently available and various materials are used to produce them. Residential properties commonly feature gutters which are constructed from some form of plastic such as PVC. Many are however constructed from metals including iron, galvanized steel, zinc, lead or copper gutters. Stone, wood and concrete are also used in some cases. A guttering system can be integrated as a hidden part of the roof (such as a box gutter) or others may be attached under the edge of a roof allowing them to catch water as it drains over the roofs edge. They can sometimes also be integrated as part of the exterior walls of a property. An individual gutter can now be produced on site just before installation using a process known as cold working or cold forming. This allows the creation of seamless gutters which use the least number of joints possible. This generally reduces the chance of any leakages occurring or of the guttering breaking due to a weak joint.
Maintenance
In order to ensure that your rain gutters remain effective in protecting your property from some of the damaging effects of water it will be necessary to carry out some light maintenance around twice each year. This may be required more often during wet seasons or if there are large deciduous trees near your home. The most common problem you will experience with your guttering systems will usually be blocking caused by leaves or other debris. Metallic gutters may also be susceptible to corrosion. A small spade which you may use for potting plants in your garden will be sufficient to perform any required gutter cleaning and remove any leaves or debris. A hose can then be used to flush out any material from the downspouts.
You can reduce the level of maintenance that will be required to keep your guttering systems working effectively by taking some pre-emptive action. There are many low cost gutter protection devices available which when installed correctly can greatly reduce the amount of debris making its way into your gutters. These products are gutter covers marketed under various names including the gutter guard or gutter helmet. Most of these products work in a similar way and are reasonably priced. It will also be a good idea to take some steps to prevent your downpipes becoming blocked wherever possible. This can be achieved by installing a downspout guard purchased from a DIY store or by creating a device yourself using a piece of steel mesh which is large enough to cover the opening of your downspout. Both of these options will act as a kind of ‘sieve’ for your downspout and trap larger objects such as leaves and other debris while at the same time allowing water to drain into the downspout. These devices will require clearing out a couple of times each year when you are working on clearing your gutters.
Damage and Repairs
The main causes of physical damage to guttering systems are the weight of water which has collected (due to blockages) causing the rain gutter to break away from its fastenings and also damage as a result of storms. Gutters can often move from their original positions over time due to constant exposure to the elements. This can mean that they are no longer sloping and so not channelling water to the downpipes effectively. This problem can be easily identified if standing water is visible in your gutters. A small adjustment should be all that is necessary to re-slope the rain gutter. Another obvious sign that your gutter may have sustained some light damage is the appearance of water stains on the outside of the gutter. This is often caused by a leak coming from a small hole or crack. In this case the damaged area can be easily repaired by first drying the section in question and then applying some kind of silicone sealant to seal the hole. This can be obtained from your local DIY or hardware store. Superficial damage which occurs at the joints in your guttering can also be repaired in this way. More of the sealant will be required and should be applied generously over the damaged area and also a few centimetres to each side. This should be allowed to dry for a full day before being checked to make sure that it is water tight. Any severe damage to your gutters especially as the result of a storm may require a professional contractor to carry out adequate repairs or replace individual sections.
Pricing
The price of guttering will vary greatly depending on the size of your property and which materials you would like your gutters to be constructed from. Basic PVC plastic guttering can be purchased relatively cheaply at under $10 for four meters. Aluminium will cost significantly more and may be ten times the cost of PVC, sometimes even more. If you wish to have seamless gutters installed on your property then contacting a supplier will usually be the best idea as prices will vary greatly depending on your individual property. Accessories such as gutter guards can typically be purchased for less than $20. It is a good idea to visit a few DIY stores or browse the websites of some online suppliers to get an idea of what you can expect to pay. If you are thinking about gutter installation for the first time or would like a completely new guttering system rather than repairing an old one then most people will need to consult a professional contractor who will be able to provide you with a quotation. The contractors will be able to complete the whole project for you and will also have access to trade prices and so may be able to get a better deal than you would personally be able to negotiate for the materials.
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Comments (2)
Thamks for the nice post. I always like to bookmark construction or concrete related posts like this one.
Hiya, nice day.. Your article is extremely impressive. I never considered that it was feasible to accomplish something like that until after I looked over your post. You certainly gave a great perception on exactly how this whole process works. I will make sure to return for more advice. Thanks