A hanging gutter is a roof gutter suspended with gutter brackets from the lower edge of the roof or from the fascia board, rather than resting on the wall. The gutter collects the rainwater running off the roof surface and carries it to the downpipe (rainwater drainage). The hanging gutter is the most common gutter form on houses.
How it works and its build-up
The hanging gutter is suspended at the bottom of the roof surface, just below the roof edge:
- Gutter — usually half-round or square in profile, of zinc, plastic, aluminium, or steel
- Gutter brackets — the brackets by which the gutter hangs from the fascia board or the rafters
- Fall — the gutter is mounted slightly sloping so the water flows to the outlet
- Outlet and spigot — the opening where the water drops into the downpipe
Applications
The hanging gutter is used in almost all roof situations:
- Pitched roofs of houses — the standard solution for water drainage
- Extensions, sheds, and garden houses
- Replacement and renovation — a worn or leaking gutter is often replaced with a new hanging gutter
Points to watch
- Sufficient fall — too little fall leaves water standing; too much makes the gutter hang unattractively. A slight, even fall toward the outlet is ideal
- Enough brackets — space the brackets at regular intervals so the gutter does not sag, especially under heavy snow or leaf fall
- Leaf guard — a mesh or grille prevents the downpipe from clogging
- Expansion — with zinc and plastic, allow for thermal expansion and contraction
The hanging gutter differs from the box (built-in) gutter, which is built into the roof structure.
Related terms
- Roof gutter
- Rainwater drainage
- Fascia board
- Fall
- Roof
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