ARTICLES: Guttering

Guttering systems, which are also known as rain gutters, eaves channels, eaves troughs, or simply as gutters, are a type of narrow trough or channel which is attached to the edges of a roofing system for the collection and diversion of rainwater. In some buildings, the purpose of the guttering diversion is to stop water from cascading over the roof edges. The uncontrolled, haphazard water causes structural damage to the foundation and the outside walls of buildings over time. Rain guttering also serves a useful purpose for the harvesting of rainwater for garden or household use. Guttering can be constructed using a wide variety of building materials, including wood, stone, concrete, PVC or other plastics, painted aluminum, copper, painted steel, and galvanized steel. Generally speaking, the water which is collected by the guttering system is diverted, usually through a down spout, from the edges of the roof to the foundation of the building where it is either received in a collection system or is discharged to flow towards the ditch. Collection systems which retain water carried away by guttering systems may include cisterns, balancing lakes, sewer mains, storm water mains, or rainwater tanks. In addition, some homeowners allow the water from their guttering systems to flow into a water feature, such as a Koi pond, to provide fresh, natural, clean water.There are many different types of guttering systems available. For example, the box gutter is simply a deep, large gutter which has been concealed within the roofline structure. Seamless guttering, which has become quite popular in recent years, is created at the homestead in individual, long lengths of guttering, customized to suit individual roof edge conditions. With this type of guttering system, which comes in various finishes, sizes, and shapes, the visibility of the seams are drastically reduced. Other rain gutter systems can be equipped with solid hoods, louvers, or gutter screens to allow water to flow in but roof debris to stay out.