Summary
– Gutter collector
– Components of Gutter downspout
– Gutter downspout: evacuation or recovery?

A gutter system is made up of elements each contributing to the good collection of rainwater:
– the horizontal collection system,
– the sealing elements of the gutter,
– gutter hooks,
– gutter connections,
– gutter downspouts or vertical gutter chains,
– the gutter collector whose role is to connect the downspout to a rainwater recuperator.

Gutter collector: rainwater recuperator

When it rains, the rainwater collected by the gutter flows down the house through a downspout or gutter chain.
In the case of a downspout, the water can be conveyed:
– to a water evacuation system,
– to a rainwater recovery system: cistern, bin, etc.
The collector is a simple pipe that is attached to the downspout and connected to a storage tank.
The water that falls down the downspout is diverted by the collector and filtered before being stored. In the event of an overflow, the excess water continues its course towards the rainwater drainage system.

Economical and ecological

Caution: the water collected is not drinkable even if it is filtered.
The gutter collector allows you to make important savings because it allows you to recover 80 to 90% of rainwater for:
– gardening,
– wash your car…
Thanks to this process, the consumption of potable water is reduced: a true gesture of sustainable development!

Components of Gutter downspout

The gutter downspout carries the rainwater down; it connects the gutter to the collector.

It should allow for optimal drainage since leaves, branches and other solid bodies are often carried along with the water.

Here is a summary table of the different components of the downspout:

Gutter downspout

Components	Features
Downpipes	Variable diameter: minimum 50 mm for round sections and 60 mm for square sections, up to 100 mm, length: 1, 2 or 3 meters, fit into each other over a sufficient height to ensure a perfect seal and in the right direction of water flow, their position should be as vertical as possible.
Descending elbows	Allows you to give the downspout the shape and orientation necessary to configure your roof, of the same diameter as the pipes, their number must be limited to the maximum, in order to facilitate the descent of the water.
Sleeves or rings	Assemble the elements together
Connection basins	Are V-shaped, allow the junction of two downspouts, generally one vertical and the other diagonal, flowing into the same collector.
Clamps or fasteners	Fastened to the wall with galvanized screws in dowels suitable for masonry, support the pipes and make them integral to the construction, keep the vertical descent away from the wall and avoid damages in case of leaks, It is recommended not to tighten them too much, the material must be able to expand.
Gutter protection elements	Toad mouth, and gutter leaf stopper.

Gutter downspout: evacuation or recovery?

Rainwater must be conveyed via a gutter collector:

– or to a drainage system,

– or a water recovery system.

Failure to drain or recover water may eventually and seriously damage the foundations of your building.

The location of eavestrough downspouts is dictated by the location of manholes around your home.

The number of downspouts depends on the configuration of the different sections of your roof, their surfaces and layout and should be carefully considered when installing the eavestrough.

We hope that the essential information in this post will help you make the right choices for your eavestroughs. For even more advice on purchasing, installation and maintenance, please contact Brunswick Roofing Supplies.