oluk-vertikalaThroughout the year, atmospheric water - rain, snow and the city falls on the roofs of the houses and drains from them. Gutters accept this water and drain it through vertical drainage pipes into drains or open channels, away from the building. The gutters are the guard of the facades from the impact of water.

When they are gone, the facade is wet and constantly exposed to rainfall, causing damage to the mortar, the appearance of algae, moisture reaching the walls and, finally, the interior.

Uncontrolled catchment water damages paths and paved surfaces and finds its way to foundations and endangers their bearing capacity.

Hanging and recumbent gutters

Gutters and gutter pipes are made of galvanized steel, aluminum or copper, or plastic. The cross-section is usually semicircular, though it may also be square or of various other decorative profiles. Depending on the position of the gutters at the end of the eaves, they are distinguished, first of all, by hanging (dangling) and lying gutters, laid on the eaves. Suspended gutters are somewhat more functional because in case of overflow, water falls further away from the wall. This is especially pronounced in winter when an ice-thickened front edge can cause water to flow from the snow to the building. To provide water overflow to the outside, the front edge of the gutter is several centimeters lower than the inside and is circularly bent for reinforcement.

Oluci-vertikale-spremni-za-ugradnjuTILT 0.5%

The gutters for the roof or the horns of the roof structure are fixed by means of holders that determine their inclination. As the temperature changes, sheet metal shrinks and expands, so the gutter must not be rigidly fixed in the bearing.

The gutter cross-sectional area depends on the amount of atmospheric rainfall, the total roof area and the diameter of the gutter verticals and their mutual distances. The gutter slope towards the drainage pipes must not be less than 0.5 percent. Connecting gutters and vertical drains can be, for smaller drainage distances and less precipitation, without expansion or with expansion to accommodate more water. Extension is also desirable for drainage pipe breaks as these are critical places where water congestion and freezing can occur in winter. Gutter verticals can be of circular or square cross-section, three-quarters of the gutter surface. They are attached to the wall by hooking the hook at a distance of 1.5-2.5 meters. It is good that their lower part is made of reinforced metal pipes to protect them from damage and impact.

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

Properly installed roof drainage system is only half the battle won. Regular cleaning and maintenance is key to ensuring that gutters perform their function properly. A clean gutter also helps fight mosquitoes. It is recommended that the gutters be inspected and cleaned of leaves and other deposits at least twice a year, and in late autumn. Check that there are no cracks and holes. If water is retained in some area, corrosion and leakage may occur. Damaged areas should be repaired in a timely manner. In the spring it should be checked that somewhere under the weight of the snow the sheet bends. Occasionally, holders should also be checked and further secured where necessary.

It is best to clean and repair the ladder. Trying to get the gutter off the roof is risky because it requires us to lean beyond the center of gravity. Vertical cleaning is done from the bottom up to avoid clogging of the material that caused the blockage. Garden hose and water pressure or plumbing tools can be used for this purpose. The rusty spots should be thoroughly washed, dried and sanded and then repainted with a protective coat. The cracks are closed by patches of the same material as the gutter.

vodokotlicSITES AND FILTERS

There are also solutions that prevent leaves, twigs, and other impurities from clogging up gutters. These are primarily sieves and filters that are placed on the top of the drain pipes. Unfortunately, setting them up does not mean that there is no more work to do, as over time they form a layer of dirt that prevents the passage of water and needs to be cleaned regularly. The slightly more expensive grid nets, which are placed over the gutters so that the accumulated leaves blow away quickly, represent a better solution in this regard.

Snow and ice in the gutters threaten the safety of the building, and their fall from the roof is a danger people and property near the house. Special heating cables can be installed in gutters. In this way, snow and ice dissolve in a timely manner, protect gutters from damage and increase safety.

DISCRETE DECOR

The drainage system may not be a necessary evil in the architectural design of the building , as it is when it is not thought of in time. If thought through in time, in the conceptual stages of project development, gutters and drainage pipes can become a discreet decoration, accent, and even the backbone of a design solution. On the other hand, if necessary for architectural reasons, gutters can be built and hidden in façade walls and eaves. Their planning should not be left to the last moment and the decision with the masters on the construction site. Today, a wide range of colors for plastic gutters can be found on the market, which opens up many possibilities, and gutters made of other materials can be painted. This can be a good way to refresh the look of your home.

Jelena Andjelkovic-Popadic, B.Sc. eng. arch.

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