Pitched Roof Water Drainage.
A pitched / sloped roof is made up of several different elements: the structure, the insulating elements, the ventilation, the roof covering, the water drainage system water and apertures.
Why is water drainage important?
The sloping roof protects the house from external weather elements and therefore the rain. But it’s still necessary to remove rain water from the roof and prevent it from touching the walls. This is the role of water drainage system.
On the edge of the roof and the walls of the property, a water drainage system is installed. It preserves the building and is normally designed to:
- Allow easy and rapid discharge of rainwater from the roof.
- Avoid splashing.
- Prevent mold or fungi, which can damage, from growing on the roof or walls
Water discharge: how does it work?
Rainwater is drained down from the roof because of the slope, where it is collected in the "gutter", and then discharged to the sewer system by vertical pipes called "downpipes".
Types of gutters
There are different types and styles (profiles) of gutters:
- The K-gutter: without doubt the most commonly used in the US currently, common sizes are 5-inch and 6-inch diameter (although many other custom sizes are available).
- The open gutter: a classic form of gutter which may be semi-circular or rectangular in shape. It is attached to the roof frame by brackets.
- The integral gutter: lined with roofing material and able to hold a larger capacity of rainwater than most other types of gutter. It is formed by the ends of the roof rafters and the fascia.
- The box gutter: built into the edge of the roof and very common in older family houses.
- The fascia gutter: commonly found in the western parts of the US and is fixed onto a fascia board or indeed, if custom made, it may act as the fascia of the roof.
Water drainage: material
The rainwater drainage system can be made from:
- Zinc, copper, cast iron, steel
- Lacquered aluminum, PVC