It is impossible to overestimate the need to drain melt and storm water from the entire structure and from the roof surface. Today, manufacturers offer for sale a wide range of products that can serve as such a system. Such designs are durable, easy to install, have an attractive appearance and have a wide color spectrum. If you have some skills in construction, then installing a drainage system will not cause any particular difficulties. In addition, each manufacturer today provides work instructions that help organize the drain yourself.
System components and materials used
Any drain has the form of a system that provides for the presence of pipes and gutters, the diameter depends on the load of wastewater per linear meter of the roof surface. The gutters are fixed to the building with hooks and brackets, the gutters and pipes are connected with the help of funnels. You can fix the pipes to the house with clamps. The building may have different architectural features, inDepending on this, the system may include:
- plugs and gutter connectors;
- pipe lugs;
- gutter corners;
- pipe elbows.
The corner components of the gutter are designed to bypass the building at internal and external corners. But pipe elbows are required for bending. Tips for pipes give completeness to the whole structure. If you will be installing gutters, then you can choose a rectangular or round section of the elements. The width of the gutter will depend on the area of the roof and varies from 100 to 200 mm. The diameter of the pipes can be equal to 75-120 mm. As a rule, metal or plastic is used to make the drainage system. Galvanizing is almost never used for the reason that it is subject to corrosion processes. Titanium and copper can act as materials for the gutter system, but in this case, the elements will cost more. Before installing the drainage system, it is important to take into account the materials and color of the roofing, as well as the external walls of the building, the architectural concept of the building, the amount of annual rainfall, the configuration of the roof and its total area.
Location of drains
Installation of gutters should be made taking into account the length of the roof overhang. If the overhang has a length of up to 10 m, then 1 drain will be required, while if this parameter is larger, then two drains should be prepared. The installation and location of these elements will depend on the type of roof.
Preparation of tools
For the installation of a drain, a certain set of tools should be prepared, among them:
- rope;
- riveting pliers;
- rubber and metal hammers;
- metal scissors;
- drill with battery or screwdriver;
- pencil;
- hydraulic level;
- hook bending tool.
General rules for installing a gutter system
Where to start? Installation of the gutter system should begin with the installation of hooks. They can be long, adjustable or short, and are attached to the bottom board of the batten, on top of the rafters or to the rafters. For each such technique, different types of hooks must be prepared. The next step is to calculate the angle of their inclination. The recommended slope should be approximately three meters per meter. Hooks should be placed side by side, numbered, and then mark the fold line. Next, the tool for bending the hooks comes into play, with its help the elements need to be bent according to the markup. The installation of the first hook is carried out in such a way that the step between the continuation of the roof and the outer side of the gutter is approximately 25 mm. The installation of hooks should be carried out at a distance of 0.9 m, while the angle of inclination should be equal to the limit of 2 to 3 mm relative to the horizon. Installation should begin from the edge of the eaves, from where the slope will go with respect to the horizon. The last and first hooks should be located 150 mm from the edge of the roof edge. If atheir installation is carried out not on the frontal board, but on the rafters, then grooves should be made. This will allow you to compare the surfaces of the hooks with the battens or rafters.
Work methodology
Installation of the drainage system at the next stage involves marking if holes for the funnel should be made in the gutter. When cutting the material, you can use a hacksaw. The funnel should be shaped with pliers, and burrs should be removed. The cut point of the material is treated with paint to prevent corrosion. When cutting metal, it is not recommended to use a grinder. The funnel is fixed to the outer fold of the gutter, the terminals are clamped from the inside. The next step is to install the gutter plug with a rubber mallet, but this method is sometimes replaced by hand pressing technology. The design must be installed on the hooks according to the method of pressing each hook.
Gutter connection recommendations
When installing a gutter system with your own hands, it is important to properly connect the gutters. This can be done with the help of connecting locks. A gap of 3 mm must be left between the ends, and sealant must be applied to the rubber gasket in three lines, one of them should be located in the center, while the rest should be on the sides. The back of the lock should be fixed to the inner sides of the gutters. The lock should be pressed to the outside, whichto achieve a tight seal. Then it should be snapped on and reinforced with clamping clamps. Sealant residue must be disposed of.
Possible errors
The rules for installing a gutter system state that if you increase the distance between the brackets, this can cause the gutters to sag. Among other things, you may experience overflow if the edges of the roof do not line up with the center of the gutter. Too much gap between the gutter line and the edge of the roof can cause overflow and spatter.
Features of installing a plastic gutter
Plastic roof drains are installed according to a certain technology, it provides for the installation of funnels at the first stage, which are divided into water intake, storm and roofing. The next step will be the installation of hooks, and then the holders are strengthened, which are installed 2 cm from the funnel. It is necessary to check the slope with the help of a nylon thread, and with respect to the funnel, the angle of inclination should be 2 °. When plastic roof drains are installed, where the wall length varies from 10 to 20 m, the gutter can have a simple or double slope. In the first case, the funnel should be located at the end of the slope, while in the second it goes to the middle or from the middle.
A simple slope would have the middle spout at the highest point, while a double slope would have the two outermost spouts at the highest point and the water wouldmove to the funnel in the middle. If the length of the gutter is more than 22 m, then three funnels or a more powerful system will be required. The next step is to install the gutter connector, which can be compensatory or conventional. Gutter connectors must be located between the brackets, and the distance between them must be equal. At the next stage, the master cuts the gutter into separate blanks of the desired length, and protects the cut points. Then you need to connect the funnels of the gutter, the last of which fits on the brackets.
Conclusion
How the hooks of the gutter system are installed was described in detail above, but if you do not plan to carry out these works on your own, then you can familiarize yourself with the prices for the services of professionals. For the installation of a drain, experts will take 350 rubles. per linear meter, with regard to the installation of visors and ebbs, the cost will be equal to 230 rubles. per running metre. The cost of installing a gutter system is not too high, so it is quite common for homeowners to seek professional help.
