Roof Drainage and Components
Protecting your home is incredibly important and the part of your home that can protect your home the most is the roofing system. The roof ensures that outside elements and severe weather do not damage the inside of your home. While the roofing system is very sturdy and able to handle a lot, when it rains or even snows, the water needs somewhere to run off your roof. When any type of moisture is left on the roof, it can cause damages such as roof leaks or mildew and mold growth. In order to prevent these things from happening, investing in roof drainage systems is a good idea.
But what is a roof drainage system? A roof drainage system is a system that is installed on the roof to divert water and debris off the roof. Many people ask, “What are roof drains called?” and they are simply called roof drainage systems. The drainage system starts at the roof line and then you have roof drainage to ground. The components that you need for a roof drainage system is a gutter system and downspout. With these two components working together, water is able to be removed from your roofing system easily.
What Do Roof Gutters Do?
When it comes to roofing drainage systems and gutters, people typically think that they are different systems; this is actually not true. A gutter system is a component of a roof drainage system, which allows water, twigs, leaves, and other debris to collect off of the roof and flow toward the downspout and onto the ground. The water from the roof drips into the gutter system, which is a long piece of material that is installed along the edge of the roofline. The water will then flow through the gutter and then make its way to the downspout where it will then absorb into the ground.
There are some homes that don’t require a gutter system–for homes that are located in dry climates or your home slopes downhill. However, if you get plenty of rain and your home was built on pretty level land, then you need a proper roof drainage system that includes a gutter. Not only will a gutter help collect water from your roof, but it will also protect your landscaping from soil erosion and your home’s foundation from cracking.
How To Install Roof Drainage
Installing a roof drainage system is pretty easy when you have the right tools and materials. Many people ask, “Where does roof drainage go?” Depending on what type of roof you have will determine where the drainage system will be installed. If you have a flat roof, the drain will be installed onto the actual roof and then the drain will be linked together. For roofs that have a low slope, the water will just flow into the gutter system. Another question that is asked in regards to installing roof drainage systems is “How do you size a roof drain?” It will all depend on the size of the roof. Here are the steps to install roof drainage.
- Clean Roof: You’ll want to clean the roof line/fascia so that the gutter system has a clean place to be installed.
- Plan Placement: This will include planning where the gutters will line up on the roof line and where the downspouts should be installed.
- Hang Gutters: Once you know where the gutters are going to go and have cut the gutters to the correct size, the gutters can be installed.
- Attach Downspouts: After the gutters have been installed, the downspouts can then be installed.
Roof Drainage Cleaning
How To Clean Roof Drainage Systems
In order for your roof drainage to work properly, it needs to be cleaned from time to time. The biggest thing that can happen when a drainage system isn’t cleaned is clogs. The gutters and downspouts can become clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris that can collect in the gutter and downspout. When there are clogs, that can cause water to overflow onto the roof and the sides of the gutter. Too much water on the roof can cause roof leaks and water overflowing the roof can cause damages to the lawn and foundation. Cleaning the gutters and downspout is very easy. All you need is a trash bag, gloves, goggles, a ladder, and a plastic scoop. You will want to scoop out all of the twigs, leaves, and debris and dispose of it in the trash bag. Once you have removed all of the debris, you will take a water hose and spray water in the gutter system to remove any residue. If there is a clog in the downspout, shoot water up the downspout to clear the clog. If you are needing a roof drainage system in Canton, GA, call the experts at Affordable Gutters Plus LLC. Just like you wouldn’t call an inexperienced technician for energy efficient ac systems, you wouldn’t call an inexperienced roofer to install roof drainage. Get in touch with us at 770-735-4433 to make an appointment and learn more about this type of service.