Rain gutter

A rain gutter (also known as eavestrough, guttering or just gutter) is a narrow channel, or trough, forming the component of a roof system which collects and diverts rainwater shed by the roof. In many buildings, the purpose of this diversion is to prevent drips off the roof edges. These drips can cause structural damage over time to the walls or the foundation of a building. However, in others the purpose is also to harvest rainwater, for household or garden use. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 409 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Rain gutter Metadata This file contains... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 409 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Rain gutter Metadata This file contains... A roof tiled in imitation of thatch at Croyde, north Devon, England Rooftops in Vietnam Snow on the roof The roof, the top covering of a building, is one of the universal structures found on all buildings. ...

Rain gutter can be constructed from a variety of materials, including galvanised or painted steel, copper, PVC and other plastics, concrete, and stone. Galvanization refers to any of several electrochemical processes named after the Italian scientist Luigi Galvani. ... The steel cable of a colliery winding tower. ... General Name, Symbol, Number copper, Cu, 29 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 4, d Appearance metallic pinkish red Standard atomic weight 63. ... Polyvinyl chloride Polyvinyl chloride, (IUPAC Polychloroethene) commonly abbreviated PVC, is a widely used thermoplastic polymer. ... Concrete being poured, raked and vibrated into place in residential construction in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ... The rocky side of a mountain creek near Orosí, Costa Rica. ...

Water collected by a rain gutter is fed, usually via a downpipe, to a collection system, either a rainwater tank or a stormwater main or sewer main. In some locations where collection to a main is not feasible, the water is dispersed into stormwater pits.

Different styles of gutter are available to suit the design of the roof, the building method and the desired appearance. Exposed rain gutter is available in a variety of profiles to suit the appearance of the building. Common exposed rain gutter is fixed to the fascia board, which in turn is fixed to the ends of the rafters. A fascia gutter incorporates a rain gutter with a fascia. Box gutter is a deep gutter which is concealed within the structure of the roof. A box gutter is usually applied when the rainwater is to be collected from points within the boundary walls of the building. Water collected by a box gutter is fed to the downpipe or down spout via a rainhead. Fascia is a term which generally describes any vertical surface which spans across the top of columns or across the top of a wall. ... A rafter is a structural member, a type of beam, which supports the roof of a building. ... Rain gutter A rain gutter (also known as eavestrough, guttering or just gutter) is a narrow channel, or trough, forming the component of a roof system which collects and diverts rainwater shed by the roof. ... A rainhead is a device used in roof plumbing for the capture of stormwater run off from the rain guttering of a building. ...

Rain gutters can be equiped with gutter screens, louvers or other closed gutter system that allows water from the roof to flow thru, but blocks leaves and other debris from entering and building up in the guitar.

Rain gutters can have their drains directed to rain collection systems that allows the saving of the rain water for use later.

Precautions

The rain gutter on houses that have overhanging trees can become blocked with leaves over time and can cause a fire hazard, particularly in bushfire areas. Various styles of mesh and other perforated materials have been applied as leaf guard to help prevent this problem from occurring. In some areas with high bushfire danger, some type of leaf guard is mandated by the building code. Backburning in Townsville, Australia. ...

Clogged gutters can cause water leakage into the house as the water backs up. Clogged gutters can also lead to stagnant water build up which allows mosquitos to breed and also allow grasses and weeds to grow in the gutter.

Gutters in colder climates also suffer the effects of freezing. However this can be mitigated through the use of heating cables placed in the trays that become activated in freezing weather.