The drainage system is an indispensable element of the engineering improvement of a private house. It provides stable precipitation removal, preventing the destruction of the foundation due to overmoistening of the adjacent soil. Although plumbing products are increasingly being made from plastics, metal gutter systems remain the most reliable and durable. But due to the impressive weight and processing difficulties, steel elements can cause a lot of problems during installation.
How to choose a drain kit?
When choosing a metal drain, an important role will be played by the evaluation of protective coatings. If the structure is located on the street, its surface quite often comes into contact with water, which means it must be treated with a corrosion-resistant coating. Today, galvanized metal gutter systems are common, but this is not enough. Technologists offer additional passivation layers and a primer. The result is a multi-level protective "pie", the average guarantee for which is about 20 years. But, of course, at a price such a drain is expensive.
Next, you can proceed to the choice of form. A traditional design is a semicircular trough, there is no particular reason to refuse it. The only alternative is the drainage metal systems of a rectangular shape, but such a section is more difficult to integrate into a typical under-roof space. At a minimum, more space is required for the location of the fasteners.
Installation of supporting fasteners for the gutter
The gutter line is the most critical part of the entire structure. It is located on hooks that are securely fixed with hardware - screws, screws, bolts, etc. In this case, different approaches to fixing can be used in terms of placement of fasteners. Supporting structures can be installed on the eaves overhang, boardwalk, rafter foot or crate. It is important that in each case, the edges of the roof are located on top. Metal gutter system with adjustable brackets in terms of gutter mounting capabilities is most practical, as it allows you to adapt to any angle of the roof slope. Also, do not forget that the dimensions of the brackets with bearing holders must correspond to the parameters of the drain in terms of design and especially weight, otherwise the load will simply collapse the system.
Correct flow direction configuration
After the method of fixing the holders to the base has been determined, it is possible to calculate the specific installation points of the supporting grooves. This is an important point, since in principle the performance of a horizontal drain depends on it. Initially, it is determined which way the drain will direct the accumulated water. Then the installation line is marked, adjusted for the so-called intentional curvature. This is a technological bias, the degree of which will depend on the departure of the ramp and the cross section of the gutter of the metal gutter system. The size of the channel in depth reaches an average of 110-125 mm, which leads to a slope of about 20 mm per 1 m. But another point related to the lengthening of the drain line should be taken into account. If the gutter forms a channel with a length of 12 m or more, then there will be no point in making a slope in one direction. The best option is to divide the line into two multidirectional contours with the calculation of a smaller angle.
Installation of fasteners for drain pipes
From the gutters, the channel passes to the funnels and pipes through which water flows down. Accordingly, the installation of fasteners in a vertical line on the facade will also be required. To fix the pipes, special holders are used, consisting of clamps and hardware, which are directly integrated into the walls. It is very important to choose the fasteners suitable for a particular base so that it does not collapse the structure under heavy loads.
As a rule, in the installation of metal drainage systems, long screws, anchor rods and thick nails are used. The most reliable method of fastening will be an exciting clamp plate, which is fixed along the edges with small screws. As for the placement points of the holders, manufacturers recommend maintaining a distance between the elements of the order of 2 m. If, however, two pipes are supposed to be connected along one vertical line, then a grip should be provided under the junction regardless of the set step.
Drain assembly
If you have a well-made mounting infrastructure with holders, problems with further installation will not arise. The assembly begins with a line of gutters, the segments of which are connected to each other using fittings, clamping sleeves or even waterproof glue. But for metal it is advisable to use structural connectors. Then you can proceed to the integration of the drain funnel. It should be noted here that it is not always possible to compose a system strictly according to the parameters of the available elements of the kit, so there is a need for machining. Metal gutter systems should be cut using an electric jigsaw of the appropriate power or a circular hand saw suitable in format. Then go to the junction with a vertical pipe, which is clamped in previously installed holders with clamps.
Errors in the organization of the system
Common mistakes in the design and installation of drainage systems include the following:
- Integration of fasteners in seam and joining places. For example, driving a dowel of a load-bearing hook at the point of abutment of the roof to the crate element.
- Frequent drainage funnels. In order to optimize the system, it is recommended to use a minimum number of vertical drains.
- Initially the wrong design choice. The very first days of operation can show that according to one or another characteristic, structural elements cannot cope with the drainage loads. Which metal gutter system is best for a private home? You should not save on material, therefore the concept “the smaller the design, the better” is not suitable in this case. A kit should be installed that strictly corresponds to the roof area, discharge capacity and functional requirements.
- During the design, the place where the final discharge will go is not calculated. However, this topic should be considered separately.
Solving the problem of sewage
So that water does not fall into the ground near the foundation, you should consider the final place for water discharge. In this capacity, septic tanks, a central sewer or a lake near the house are used. If there are no such opportunities, then it is possible to organize a drainage infrastructure for servicing the metal drainage system. With your own hands, it is not difficult to install this water collector - just make a trench or a small well, then waterproof the bottom and perform a filtering bed of crushed stone and sand. Then it remains to direct the drains from the drainpipes into this channel, having previously closed it with turf or with a special protective structure.
Conclusion
Arrangement of a sewage collection system is not just a task of maintaining the engineering functions of a building. It is also a way to decorate the facade. The right choice of a metal gutter system for aesthetic properties will highlight the advantages of house cladding and roofing. The most common textured solutions are brown, dark green and red. You can preserve the natural silver shade of the metal, but, again, its structure in any case should be protected from corrosion and other damage. Additional fastening elements can also add their own stylistic hue. This applies to couplings, brackets, plugs and other mounting hardware. As independent decorative accessories, designers also recommend using gargoyles on drain pipes with metal chains from gutters that complement the gutter structure.