The gutter is part of the roof-facade system, which does not allow water from rains and thawed snow to excessively moisten the walls, basement, foundation. This protects structures from getting wet and premature failure.
Kinds
The installation of the drain is laid in the project of the house at the stage of selecting the material for the roof and the methods of its construction, since the fastening of the system is carried out inside the puff structure under the finish coating. If the building is built without preliminary calculations on its own (a country house, a cottage, an outbuilding), you should determine in advance what the gutter will be made of:
- galvanized steel;
- from metal coated with polymers;
- from plastic.
The most budgetary option is a steel gutter system . It will cost less than others, but it is worth remembering that its installation requires special care: the parts are not always tightly adjacent to each other, steel is most susceptible to corrosion, and during rain the noise from drops will be heard in the house.
A metal gutter coated with anticorrosive polymer materials is the most versatile: this one does not deform under the influence of temperature changes, the sun, it does not make noise during rain. In addition, modern manufacturers offer a wide color range of the system, which allows you to choose the right option for a particular facade and shade of the roof. The only caveat is that such a drain needs to be periodically treated with an anti-corrosion compound, since it tends to wear off pipes over time.
Plastic is optimal for use in combination with a colored roof made of flexible tiles - they can complement each other well. PVC can serve for a long time, but under the influence of temperature changes fragility of pipes and gutters can appear, their periodic replacement is required.
What is included in the system
It doesn’t matter if the master or the owner of the building collects the gutters; installing them yourself is quite possible and does not require special knowledge. The main thing is to buy everything you need:
- The gutter under the roof slope.
- Funnel transferring water from the gutter to the pipe.
- Vertical pipe height of the facade.
- Elbow, angle of the gutter for connecting the working parts.
- End cap in the gutter.
- Filter mesh.
- Brackets for attaching the system to the building.
- Clamps on rods for fixing vertical risers.
- Lock connecting elements for gutters.
In addition, you will need self-tapping screws, a screwdriver, tape measure and a pencil for marking, a hacksaw, strong fixation glue.
Armed with these materials and devices, you can begin assembly.
The installation of the drain must be carefully thought out: the material, the shape of the gutter, pipes, brackets, the fixation points of the vertical risers.
Step-by-Step Action Plan
Installing the drain is a responsible task, since the fastening of the elements to the building is hidden from view under the roof and facade decoration. Therefore, you should be stocked with attention and patience at the very beginning of the work.
In order to make a high-quality installation of drains, an instruction with a step-by-step algorithm is given below, it is relevant for systems of any materials.
Before starting work, it will not be superfluous to make a plan diagram on which you should display all the places of fastenings, the location of funnels, risers. This will help to avoid possible errors and inaccuracies in the installation of the system, which in the future will be difficult to fix.
Basic principles
Before proceeding with the installation, you need to understand the important rules for installing gutters:
- The collection and fastening of the elements is carried out in the direction from the upper tier to the lower, from the roof to the base.
- The slope of the gutter under the roof should be at least 2-3 cm by 8-10 meters.
- Vertical gutters should be installed at a distance of 10 meters from each other, no more. Thus, it is possible to achieve the greatest efficiency of water disposal and reduce the load on the risers.
- Strictly adhere to the assembly instructions supplied by the manufacturer with the item set, if you purchased one.
Adhering to these principles, you can easily assemble a system that will serve for a long time and reliably.
Step 1. Mounting Mounts
Installation of brackets for gutters is the first and most critical stage of work. It is performed after the installation of roof systems before further roofing. Mounts are fixed to the rafter legs or the frontal board. Metal brackets should be preferred, since their service life and degree of reliability are significantly higher than other materials, they practically do not require replacement.
The step of fixing the elements depends on the material of the gutter:
- for metal - 70-90 cm;
- for plastic, PVC - 50-60 cm.
In the corners of the roof (10-15 cm to the edge), in the places of installation of the vertical drainage system and funnels, it is also necessary to install holders.
How to make a bias?
Fix the first and last brackets with a height difference of up to 15 cm for every 10 meters of the roof edge. Then pull any rope tightly and fasten the remaining brackets along it, keeping to the required distances.
Step 2. Installation of funnels
These works can be performed after the installation of the entire roof structure. Funnels act as guiding elements for moving water from the gutter to the vertical riser. Work Stages:
- If necessary, connect the gutters in the element to cut holes and strip the formed edges from fibers. Horizontal guides are fixed with glue.
- The funnel itself is fixed to the windshield for self-tapping screws. On both sides of it, brackets should be installed at a distance of 2 cm so that they absorb the load from the gutter.
- If a filter mesh is not provided in the funnel, it should be installed separately after fixing the element.
Step 3. Lay the gutter
It should be noted that it can have a round or rectangular cross-sectional shape. Functionally, they are no different, the choice of one or another option depends on personal preferences. Depending on this, the appropriate shape of the brackets should be selected.
The gutter is installed in the fixed support elements along the edge of the roof. If the length of the element is enough, then it is simply inserted into the brackets or rested on a funnel. If you want to connect two gutters, use special fasteners that are appropriate in size and shape. They dress at the ends of the elements to be connected and form a reliable lock.
The free ends of the gutters are closed with plugs.
Step 4. Vertical risers
After the installation of gutters on the roof is completed, you can proceed to the installation of outlet pipes.
The work can be divided into 3 stages:
1) Fastening of the knees - transitional parts from the gutter to the riser located under the cornice. The element may have a rounded or angular shape, a different angle of inclination, depending on the type of riser and gutter. The knee is attached to the funnel by the usual insert, which is fixed with a clamp.
2) Installation of the riser - a vertical pipe. It is attached to clamps fixed to the wall. Assembling is very simple: the pipe is inserted into the free end of the knee, then connected to other pieces until the riser reaches the desired level at the base.
3) Installation of the final elbow is carried out in the same way as the top, only fastening is carried out to the riser.
Where to get water
Installation of the gutter is completed, but where to direct the flows that will go from the roof?
- The free end of the knee can be sent to a storage tank (barrel) for further use of water for economic purposes, for example, for irrigation.
- Set up a drain chute in the direction of the road or storm sewer.
- Direct water directly into the sewer well below the house.
- In some cases, the gutter is directed to the lawn, in which case the receiving area should be sealed to avoid erosion of the soil.
In any case, the fluid flow should not fall on the blind area, so that there is no excessive wetting of concrete and its further damage and destruction.
At least once a year, it is necessary to clean the system of contaminants: leaves, insects, dirt, corrosion. The best time for prevention is spring, when snow has already fallen off the roof, and intense rains are not yet expected. At the same time, metal pipes should be treated with anti-corrosion compounds, if necessary.
Build Features
As already mentioned, the basic technology for assembling the system is the same for any material: first, the installation of fasteners, then the installation of the gutter and riser. However, there are still some differences in the process:
- Installation of plastic drains can be carried out after assembly on the ground, and not in stages on the wall. Since the PVC elements are lightweight, they can be connected without much difficulty, and then fix the structure to the installed brackets. Fragments of the system are inserted into each other; clamp clamping is not required for them. Thus, weakened or damaged parts can be easily replaced.
- When working with metal gutters, it is important to maintain tight joints. If suddenly the elements do not fit tightly together, you can use silicone sealant. It will ensure reliable joints and prevent corrosion of weakened areas.
- To prevent the sliding gutter from breaking the gutter, position it in such a way that its outer edge is 3-5 cm below the roof plane.
Outdoor gutters are ideal for a small house with a pitched roof . Do-it-yourself installation does not take much time and effort; installation can be done independently, without using the services of specialists.
There are internal roof drainage systems; they are used in high-rise buildings with flat roofs. In such a roof has a bias in the inner part, where the receiving pipe is located. It is installed in each entrance, it directs water directly to the sewer. Of course, this type can be created for a private house, but its installation is very troublesome and more expensive.