Installation of plastic gutters for the roof do it yourself

Some homeowners are wary of using plastic drains. The opinion that plastic products are less reliable than that of metal has been established in the minds of consumers. This material is perceived as synonymous with unreliability, fragility, fragility. However, this statement does not correspond to the truth for a long time, because modern components for assembling the melt and rainwater drainage system from the polyvinyl chloride roof are much longer than metal counterparts in terms of service life, tightness and quality. In this article, we compare plastic drains with products from other materials, discuss the positive aspects and installation rules.

Device and equipment

Modern plastic drains are made from polyvinyl chloride, a thermoplastic polymer that is a product of petroleum refining. To ensure the flow of water from the roof, manufacturers offer an extensive range of components, collecting which you can get any configuration. Installation of roof gutters use the following plastic elements:

1. Gutters. They take the liquid drained from the slopes and carry it to the collection point in the water intake funnel. Such drains, in contrast to the metal, have a wider choice of the size of the gutter section.
2. Gutter coupling This is a detail necessary for connecting the gutter segments to each other. The clutch has a shortened length and is mounted using silicone sealant or rubber seal.
3. The angle of the gutter. This element of the drain is used to give the chute the desired direction. The most open parts have an angle of 90 degrees, however, some manufacturers produce and others.
4. Bracket gutter. Plastic holder in the form of a hook, which is attached to the frontal board and inserted into it a chute.
5. Gutter plug. Do this plastic drain, which is put on the end of the gutter, opposite the water intake funnel, to limit unorganized water flow.
6. Water intake funnel. The most important element of the drain, in which water is collected from the gutter and enters the drain pipe. Outwardly, this detail looks like a short gutter with a funnel process.
7. Pipe drain. So called vertically located pipe, connecting with a funnel and providing water transfer to the storm sewer.
8. Tip pipe drain. The pipe segment, which reduces the rate of water fall, is curved so that water from the roof flows smoothly.
9. Bracket for drain pipe. Fastening in the form of a ring, with which the installation of the pipe on the wall.

Unlike metal gutters, plastic provides the ability to equip the water flow for any roof configuration. Installation is possible even if the angle between the slopes is not 90 degrees, since plastic products are easy to fit in size, cutting off with a regular hacksaw.

Pluses plastic drain

Plastic drains are used less often than metal ones. However, the use of high-quality material for their production allows us to raise to a new level the efficiency of collecting and transporting water from the roof slopes. To convince the practicality of drainage systems made from polyvinyl chloride, it is enough to list their performance characteristics:

1. Corrosion Resistance. Comparing products made of metal and plastic, roofing masters note that polyvinyl chloride does not react with water, therefore it lasts longer.
2. A light weight. Perhaps this is the main plus of plastic elements. Since they weigh significantly less metal, their installation is not associated with strengthening the truss system.
3. Low noise Metal gutters have a great resonating ability, so they work noisily, repeatedly amplifying the sound of falling water. Such problems do not arise with the pistil pickups, they function almost silently.
4. Easy installation. The elements of the drainage system of the drain tightly fit together without the use of special tools, so homeowners fearlessly carry out their installation with their own hands.
5. Low price. The cost of running meter plastic drain complete with hardware is lower than the metal. In addition, the long service life of a length of 50-60 years fully pays for the costs of its installation.
6. A diverse palette. By adding a coloring pigment to plastic, manufacturers give it a rich color that matches the color scheme of roofing materials.

Note! The peculiarity of the drain of the roof of plastic is that when the temperature drops, it changes its volume. This property often causes deformation of the elements of their polyvinyl chloride at the first frost, if the installation was carried out without compensatory details. Parts that compensate for the size change are needed for mounting funnels, corners and stops.

disadvantages

Each material for the production of roof gutters has weaknesses that you should be aware of and consider when choosing and installing. Despite the undeniable advantages of plastic, the elements for assembling drainage systems from it have the following disadvantages:

1. Low resistance to mechanical stress. Insufficient strength is a kind of “Achilles heel” of plastic drains. Do not count how many of them broke, unable to withstand abundant snow from the roof during melting or snowfall. Therefore, experienced builders caution against the use of plastic systems in regions with high rainfall and high-rise buildings.
2. The need for a complex calculation of the size of the cross section of the gutter. To choose the size of the gutter, builders perform calculations based on determining the area of ​​the slope and the coefficient reflecting the average annual rainfall in the climatic zone of construction. It often turns out that the gutter selected without calculation is not large enough to collect water from the ramps, and the drainage system has to be redone.
3. Dimensional instability. Plastic changes its volume at different temperatures, expands in the heat, and shrinks in the cold. Because of these fluctuations, if the drain is mounted rigidly, gaps occur. To reduce the influence of temperature factors on plastic, manufacturers have developed a set of compensatory rubber parts, allowing the parts to “walk” without damaging the integrity.

Important! The abundance of manufacturers and the lack of state control have created a situation in the construction market where the dimensions of parts are not regulated by anyone and differ greatly. To fit between the elements of the drain was the best, purchase all components produced by one company.

Mounting technology

The main condition for the efficient operation of the water flow from the slopes is high-quality, neat installation in accordance with the requirements of the technology. The installation of the drain start after the assembly of the rafter frame and the installation of the batten. To protect the wood of rafters from moisture penetration, they are covered with an additional layer of waterproofing. To install drains plastic, act as follows:

• On the frontal plank put the layout of the gutter. It is placed with a slope of 3-5 degrees in the direction of the water intake funnel. Funnels are placed near the corner of the roof. To withstand the necessary bias, pull the cord.
• The brackets are positioned so that the ramp half obstructs the chute. This arrangement protects it from the snow, but does not prevent the effective collection of water.
• Installation begins from the point of attachment of the intake funnel. This space is measured in both directions by 15 centimeters and with the help of a screwdriver two brackets for the gutter are fixed there.
• The roof brackets are fixed with the remaining brackets with a pitch of 50-60 cm, starting from the gutter edge opposite to the funnel. Install the detail of the gutter with a funnel on the prepared brackets.
• Next, begin the installation of the gutter. It is cut to the desired length, inserted into the brackets, connecting the individual overlapping segments using silicone sealant or special rubber connectors.
• The next stage is the installation of a vertical drain pipe. It is attached to the funnel, putting up to the required length of pipe sections connected by couplings. On the wall brackets supporting the drain, place each 100 cm.
• A curved tip or spout is put on the pipe. According to building codes, the distance between it and the ground surface should not exceed 30 cm.

Note! Manufacturers recommend installing drains from plastic +5 degrees and more. This is necessary so that the plastic elements penetrate their normal dimensions. To prevent the drain from being damaged when the temperature rises or falls, compensating parts are used and screws are not fully tightened, leaving a gap.

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