Proper roof drainage is necessary to protect the entire facility against 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 proper selection of individual elements is necessary for the entire system to function properly and effectively drain water from the roof. The basic parameters include the gutter shape and diameter. The material the gutter is made of is also important. Unlike pipes, the gutter is open on one side and has a semi-circular profile. Gutters are drainage elements that are installed along the edge of the roof.
Analyzing the type of gutters due to the material from which they are 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 gutters are made is a very durable and solid material. The investment in the construction of a roof drainage system and gutters in this variant is therefore beneficial from the investor's point of view. Some people, however, are concerned whether this is really a long-term solution? Manufacturers of plastic gutters emphasize that the solutions they provide are a good investment. However, estimating the durability of models is difficult, much depends on individual issues and the conditions in which the structure operates. Currently, it is assumed that commercially available gutter models should successfully last from 20 to even 50 years.
How to choose the size of gutters?
Only if it is properly selected , the roof gutter will effectively fulfill its role and ensure effective water drainage. The gutter system must be individually adapted to the size of the roof, and more precisely to the effective roof area. Nowadays, choosing the right variant is no longer so complicated, because the producers themselves come to the rescue. There are many calculators available on the Internet, in which you just need to enter basic parameters, such as the length and height of the roof, as well as the horizontal distance from the ridge to the corner.
The size of the gutter is selected depending on the roof surface. In houses where the area does not exceed 50 m2, gutters with a diameter of 100 mm will be perfect, while the diameter of downpipes will be approximately 75-80 mm. In turn, in roofs with an area of approximately 100 m2, the gutter located at the edge of the roof should be 125 mm and the downspout 90 mm.
How to calculate the length of gutters needed for a roof?
The simplest and error-free way to determine the length of the 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 (W m2) = (C/2 + B) * gutter length, where C is the roof height from the base to the top, and B - the distance from the top to the top. ).
In unusual situations or when it is questionable whether a generally available calculator has made the correct calculations, you can seek help from specialists. By commissioning the construction of a gutter system to an external company that specializes in this type of orders, you can be sure that all calculations will be carried out correctly. Additionally, specialists will help you choose the optimal variant of gutters and installation accessories.
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How to calculate the gutter slope?
When installing the gutter system, remember that it is necessary to maintain an appropriate slope, as this will facilitate water drainage. Maintaining the perfect level would result in water remaining in the gutters instead of flowing down. On the one hand, such a situation would lead to damage to the system, and on the other hand, it could quickly lead to flooding of the façade and the appearance of moisture. If the level was maintained, there would also be a problem with impurities, such as leaves, which could quickly block the drain.
The fact that it is necessary to maintain an appropriate slope is also related to the laws of physics. Water that flows over the entire roof surface into the gutters has no initial velocity; when it hits a flush gutter, it will remain there because there are no gravitational forces acting on it, as is the case with a slight slope.
The gutter slope is a value that is most often expressed as a percentage, but it must be calculated for the entire gutter system. Moreover, this value must ultimately be expressed in numbers. This point is best explained with an example. If the gutter has 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%. By converting the obtained result into mm, we obtain information that the optimal slope for this roof should be 20 mm or 30 mm.
How do you know what coefficient value to take? The values of 0.02% and 0.03% refer to the minimum and maximum slope values that allow the system to maintain proper and optimal operation.
Is a 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 excessively loaded. When gutters are lighter, their installation is much easier. Additionally, the material is exceptionally durable, both to weather conditions (frost, water, wind, high temperature and UV radiation) as well as to mechanical damage. PVC is a corrosion-resistant material and therefore does not require additional maintenance to effectively protect the roof against moisture. The plastic from which the gutters are made is a very smooth material, which facilitates and accelerates the flow of water through the installation to the sewage drain. Additionally, fast-flowing water is quite effective in removing impurities, which means that PVC gutters do not require frequent cleaning, e.g. of leaves.
PVC gutters also have disadvantages. Even though the material itself is quite resistant to high temperatures, solar radiation can cause them to expand. As a consequence, the gutter may increase in size quite significantly.
In turn, metal gutters are characterized by the greatest durability and resistance to mechanical damage. Other factors (including atmospheric factors) are not a big problem, because the metal is covered with a layer of zinc, which protects the system against corrosion. Unlike PVC gutters, metal ones are much more resistant to temperature fluctuations.
Compared to metal gutters, the plastic variant is cheaper, so the cost of roof drainage is lower. In turn, when comparing the operating time expected by the manufacturer, metal gutters are a more advantageous solution. In the case of PVC, this period is only 20-50 years, while for metal ones, depending on the variant - 50 years for galvanized ones, and even 150 years for titanium-zinc ones. The most durable are copper pipes, which can perform their function perfectly for up to 200 years.
The choice of the optimal variant is largely an individual matter, much 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 variants of gutters. Plastic gutters are very popular. In one place you can purchase all the necessary components for comprehensive gutter installation of various roof variants, such as connectors. Thanks to this, you can quickly gutter the roof of the house, but also other buildings, such as garages or gazebos.
A wide range means that everyone will find a variant tailored to their needs. PVC roof gutters are offered for sale, such as the Kaczmarek PVC roof gutter 100x4000, white RAL9010, the "Karolina" gutter system 4951960400 . This is an element of the "Karolina" gutter system, thanks to which the installation of the roof drainage system is maximally simplified. 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 extremely resistant and durable, but the advantage is that they are available in various sizes (both length and diameter).
For metal gutters, the Onninen hydraulic wholesaler's assortment also includes numerous additional assembly elements, also color-matched to the products. Metal clamps, such as the Bryza 63 mm 70-135 metal clamp in white, brown, brick red, black, and even red and graphite, as well as various variants of the Bryza 75 mm 70-027 mounting strip are proposals that will significantly speed up the assembly of the entire system drainage of rainwater from the roof. The colors of individual components can be matched to the selected gutter variant, so that the whole thing looks impressive and aesthetic and fits perfectly with the building's façade.
Gutters and all installation accessories available at the Onninen wholesaler are proven solutions that enjoy the trust of specialists. Solid and durable, easy to install and most importantly - all of them can be purchased quickly and efficiently in one place.