When installing a roofing system, certain requirements are needed under the National Construction Code 2019 to ensure adequate drainage. This includes a lower front at the centre of an eaves gutter, allowing rainwater to flow away from the building via the eaves of the roof.
An eaves gutter is simply a gutter positioned in the eaves of a roof. However, you could alternatively purchase an eaves trough, but what is the difference?
Read our ultimate guide to roofing as we explore the similarities and differences between eaves gutters and eavestroughs.
What Are Eaves Gutters and Eavestroughs?
Eaves gutters and eavestroughs are both channels that are placed in the eaves of a roof, allowing rainwater to drain away from the building to prevent water damage and erosion.
In fact, eaves gutters and eavestroughs are the exact same architectural feature, with different names being used depending on your global location.
Eaves gutters are part of a wider gutter system, offering adequate drainage. This includes a box gutter and a quad gutter, along with sufficient expansion joints that are essential for industrial buildings.
The maximum length of the eaves guttering and lap joints must meet regulations for full compliance.
What Are the Benefits of Eaves Gutters and Eavestroughs?
Homeowners can enjoy numerous benefits from an eaves gutter and eavestrough installation.
Here are our top 5 benefits of eaves gutters and eavestroughs:
1. Prevents Water Damage
An eaves gutter or an eavestrough will direct rainfall away from your building, preventing water from seeping into your roof or forming a puddle.
Water can cause considerable damage to the roof as well as the foundations of a building. Water can rot wood in the frame of the roof, whilst condensation can cause mould to form across the rafters and the roof deck. Such repairs can cost a considerable sum of money.
Ensuring that your roof is watertight with adequate drainage installation in the form of eaves gutters will prevent substantial damage being caused at a later date.
2. Maintains Roof Aesthetics
A well-maintained roof can look great. You can choose the colour and installation design that complements your home, enhancing your overall aesthetic.
However, roof damage will provide a negative impact to the aesthetic of your roof. Rainwater may run off other areas of the roof and leak across the fascia, staining and damaging the finishing edge of your roof.
Installing adequate eaves gutters will ensure the rainwater flows in the right direction and directly into the drainage system, preventing staining and maintaining a great roof aesthetic.
3. Stops Landscape Damage
When rainwater drips off your roof in the wrong area, a build up of water will form on the landscape around your home, damaging flower beds and shrubs.
A significant volume of water can impact the soil, causing flooding and making your landscape look unappealing. In some circumstances, erosion around the building may also occur.
Directing rainfall to flow through an eaves gutter will stop a build-up of water damaging your soil and eroding your building.
4. Protects Exterior Walls
Significant damage can be caused to the exterior wall of a building if rainwater is not successfully channelled away from the roof.
When water drips off the roof incorrectly, the exterior wall becomes drenched and soaked in rainwater. If this occurs on a regular basis, the exterior wall will become damaged, causing mould and deterioration to form. The mould could find its way through to the interior wall, increasing the unsightly appearance.
Installing a secure eaves gutter into your roofing system ensures all rainwater flows into the intended direction, preventing water seeping into exterior walls and protecting the health of your building.
5. Prevents Ice Dams
If your home is located in areas of extreme weather conditions, your building is even more susceptible to damage. For example, a cold climate may cause ice dams forming on your roof, occurring when snow melts and then refreezes across the edge of the roof.
Ice dams lead to substantial roof damage, with rainfall leaking over the edge of the roof, infiltrating the exterior wall and other areas of the roof.
Such damage to your home can be prevented with a secure and adequate drainage system, of which eaves gutters feature.
How Can I Maintain Eaves Gutters?
To get the most out of your roof drainage system, you must maintain the eaves gutters and all other aspects of the roof.
Cleaning
Regularly cleaning your eaves gutters is essential, particularly after a storm, removing twigs and leaves that can become lodged in the channel.
Blocked gutters are a common form of roof damage. The debris stuck in each channel stops rainwater flowing into the channel successfully, leading to leaks over the edge of the gutter and down the building.
Inspections
Inspecting your roof on a regular basis is vital so you can identify loose or cracked shingles along with damaged fascias and gutters. This is an essential homeowner task after periods of extreme weather.
If you identify an issue with your roof, you can make the necessary repair immediately before any lasting damage is caused to your roof.
It is important to remember that a loose shingle will allow rainwater to seep into the crack, penetrating the roof sheet and roof structure, subsequently causing water damage. A simple repair will prevent this.
Final Thoughts on Eaves Gutters and Eavestroughs
An eaves gutter, also known as an eavestrough, is a gutter channel located in the eaves of your roof. This gutter allows rainwater to flow into the intended direction, preventing rogue rainwater from seeping across the roof and causing water damage.
For performance tested roofing suppliers across South East Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and beyond, search RoofStuff for the smart choice!
Visit RoofStuff now for more information! You can find an extensive range of products such as flashing to suit any budget, roof repair solutions and ventilation options.
For further expert advice, read the RoofStuff blog now!