Proper roof drainage is essential to protect the entire structure from the harmful effects of water. If the liquid is not drained for a long time, it could damage the roof structure and cause moisture to appear inside the house. What types of gutters and downpipes are there and how to choose the right size?
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What types of gutters are there?
When we say gutters, everyone probably knows what element they are dealing with. However, specialists know that this term means different products, and the correct selection of individual elements is necessary for the entire system to function properly and effectively drain water from the roof surface. Among the basic parameters, we should mention the shape of the gutter and its diameter. The material from which the gutter is made is also of great importance. Unlike pipes, the gutter is open on one side, with a semicircular profile. Gutters are drainage elements that are installed along the edge of the roof.
Analyzing the type of gutters according to the material from which it was made, i.e.:
- plastic gutter ;
- metal gutter ;
- galvanized gutter;
- aluminum gutter;
- copper gutter.
Due to some specific properties of individual variants, including their price, not all types are used in modern construction.
How long will a plastic gutter last?
The plastic from which the gutters are made is a very durable and solid material. Investing in the implementation of a roof drainage system and gutters in this variant is therefore beneficial from the investor's point of view. However, some people are concerned whether this is really a solution for years? Manufacturers of plastic gutters emphasize that the solutions they provide are a good investment. However, estimating the durability of models is difficult, a lot depends on individual issues, the conditions in which the structure operates. It is currently assumed that the gutter models available for sale should successfully last from 20 to even 50 years.
How to choose the size of gutters?
Only if properly selected will a roof gutter effectively fulfil its role and ensure effective water drainage. The gutter system must be individually matched to the size of the roof, or more precisely to the effective roof surface. Currently, choosing the right option is not so complicated, because manufacturers themselves come to the rescue. There are many calculators available on the Internet, to which you only need to enter basic parameters, such as the length and height of the roof, as well as the distance from the ridge to the corner horizontally.
The size of the gutter is selected depending on the roof surface. In houses where it does not exceed 50m2, gutters with a diameter of 100 mm will work perfectly, while the diameter of the downpipes is about 75-80 mm. In turn, in roofs with a surface of about 100 m2, the gutter located at the edge of the roof should be 125 mm, and the downpipe 90 mm.
How to calculate the length of gutters needed for a roof?
The simplest and most error-free way to determine the length of gutters you need is to use the help of a specialist or a dedicated calculator. The calculation method is not particularly complicated and is based on a mathematical formula (roof area (in m2) = (C/2 + B) * gutter length, where C is the height of the roof measured from the base to the crown, and B - the distance from the gable to the end).
In unusual situations or when you are not sure whether the generally available calculator has made the right calculations, you can ask for help from specialists. By commissioning the gutter system to an external company that specializes in this type of order, you can be sure that all calculations will be made correctly. Additionally, specialists will help you choose the optimal version of gutters and mounting accessories.
Check out the roof gutters at the Onninen wholesaler
How to calculate gutter fall?
When installing the gutter system, remember that it is necessary to maintain an appropriate slope, as this will facilitate water drainage. Maintaining a perfect level would result in the water constantly being in the gutters instead of flowing down. On the one hand, such a situation would lead to damage to the system, on the other hand, it could quickly lead to flooding of the façade and the appearance of moisture. In the case of maintaining the level, impurities, such as leaves, would also be a problem, which could quickly lead to blocking the drain.
The fact that it is necessary to maintain an appropriate slope is also related to the laws of physics. Water that flows down the entire surface of the roof into the gutters does not have any initial velocity, when it hits a flush-mounted gutter, it will remain there because there are no gravitational forces acting on it, as is the case when maintaining a slight slope.
The gutter slope is a value that is most often expressed in percentages, but it must be calculated for the entire gutter system. What's more, this value must ultimately be expressed in numbers. This issue is best explained with an example. With a gutter with a total length of 10 m, this value should be multiplied by the adopted coefficient, which in this case is 0.02% or 0.03%. Converting the obtained result to mm, we obtain information that the optimal slope for this roof should be 20 mm or 30 mm.
How do you know what value to use for this coefficient? The values of 0.02% and 0.03% refer to the minimum and maximum drop values that will allow the system to operate properly and optimally.
Is plastic or metal gutter better?
Plastic gutters are currently a frequently used solution due to the specific, beneficial features of the product. One of the greatest advantages of PVC is its lightness, thanks to which the roof structure is not overloaded. When gutters are lighter, their installation is definitely easier. Additionally, the material is characterized by exceptional durability, both to atmospheric factors (frost, water, wind, high temperature or UV radiation) and mechanical damage. PVC is a corrosion-resistant material, and thanks to this, it does not require additional maintenance to effectively protect the roof from moisture. The plastic from which the gutters are made is a very smooth material, which facilitates and speeds up the flow of water through the installation, to the sewage drain. Additionally, quickly flowing water is quite effective in removing impurities, which means that PVC gutters do not require such frequent cleaning, e.g. from leaves.
PVC gutters also have disadvantages. Although the material itself is quite resistant to high temperatures, solar radiation can cause them to expand. As a result, the gutter can increase in size quite a bit.
In turn, metal gutters are characterized by the greatest durability and resistance to mechanical damage. Other factors (including atmospheric conditions) are also not a big problem, because the metal is covered with a layer of zinc, which protects the system from corrosion. Unlike PVC gutters, metal gutters are much more resistant to temperature fluctuations.
Compared to metal gutters, the plastic version is cheaper, which means that the cost of roof drainage is lower. In turn, when comparing the manufacturer's expected service life, metal gutters are a more advantageous solution. In the case of PVC, this period is only 20-50 years, while for metal, depending on the version - for galvanized, 50 years, and for titanium-zinc even 150 years. The most durable are copper pipes, which can perfectly fulfill their function for up to 200 years.
The choice of the optimal variant is to a large extent a rather individual matter, a lot depends on the factors to which the installation will be exposed and what priorities determine the choice.
Gutters in the Onninen wholesaler
The Onninen wholesaler offers various gutter variants. The plastic gutter is very popular. In one place, you can buy all the necessary components for the comprehensive execution of guttering of various roof variants, such as connectors. Thanks to this, you can quickly perform guttering of the roof of a house, but also of other objects, such as garages, gazebos.
The wide range of products means that everyone will find a variant tailored to their needs. PVC roof gutters are available for sale, such as the Kaczmarek PVC 100x4000 roof gutter, white RAL9010, "Karolina" gutter system 4951960400. This is an element of the "Karolina" gutter system, thanks to which the installation of the roof drainage system is as simple as possible. This product is also available in brown and graphite, so you can easily match it to the aesthetics of the facility and your own preferences. These gutters are exceptionally resistant and durable, but the advantage is also that they are available in various sizes (both length and diameter).
For metal gutters, the Onninen plumbing wholesaler also has numerous additional assembly elements, also in color matched to the products. Metal clamps, such as the Bryza 63 mm 70-135 metal clamp in white, brown, brick, black, and even red and graphite, as well as various variants of the Bryza 75 mm 70-027 mounting strip are proposals that will definitely speed up the assembly of the entire rainwater drainage system from the roof. The colors of individual components can be matched to the selected gutter variant, so that the whole looks effective and aesthetic and blends in perfectly with the building facade.
The gutters and all assembly accessories available at the Onninen wholesaler are proven solutions that are trusted by specialists. Solid and durable, easy to assemble and most importantly - all available for purchase quickly and efficiently in one place.