Rain heads protect your home from the damage caused by excess water flow and debris. Also known as rainwater heads, rain heads offer a functional purpose to contribute to an effective roof drainage system and flashing roof protection.
Read our ultimate guide as we explore the purpose of rain heads on your roof and how using rainwater heads can provide benefits to your property.
What Is a Rain Head?
A rain head is a type of container that is positioned on the roof to help with rain water flow and drainage, acting as an external overflow point.
The rain head component is situated between the downpipe and the gutter, collecting rainwater overflow and minimises the surge of stormwater. This overflow provision adds a layer of protection from your home during storms and periods of heavy rainfall, helping to prevent building damage.
How Do Rain Heads Work?
Rain heads work to prevent debris entering the drainage system whilst controlling the flow of rainwater to protect against potential water damage.
Sometimes called sumps, rainheads can feature as internal box or trough gutters and fitted downpipe outlet, controlling the water overflow inside the system.
However, it is important to complete essential maintenance on your rain head to check for and repair cracks and clear away any debris.
What Are the Benefits of Using Rain Heads?
Installing rain heads offers homes across Australia numerous benefits to help control water surges.
Here are our top 5 benefits of using rain heads:
1. Diverts Waterflow
Rain heads divert rainwater as it falls, collecting the rainwater and diverting it away from the roof. The waterflow is guided into the gutters and downpipes by the rain head, ensuring that an effective drainage system is in use for your property.
2. Protects From Debris
When a storm hits, debris is just as dangerous for your home as heavy rainfall. Debris and leaves can block the gutters and downpipes, causing rainwater to overflow and result in water damage to the property.
A rain head typically features a grille at the top of the container to prevent such debris from entering the drainage system.
3. Prevents Overflow
Water overflow is particularly damaging to property and should be avoided. However, during a heavy storm, water overflow can be a common theme for Australian homes.
Rainwater heads help your drainage system to minimise the waterflow, preventing overflow and protecting against damage.
4. Improves Aesthetics
A rain head is not just a functional element to help with the drainage system. It can also offer improvements to the aesthetics of your property with some rain heads looking great, depending on the style you opt for.
5. Additional Benefits
As well as preventing rainfall and debris damage, and offering aesthetic improvements, rain heads can also provide further benefits to your home. Some rainwater heads will deter mosquitoes which are known to breed in water that is stagnant.
Are There Different Types of Rain Heads to Choose From?
Different designs of rain head are available to match the style of your home and your own requirements.
Tapered Rain Heads
A tapered rain head is the most popular choice for use as they are strong and resilient, possessing a tapered bottom to help the flow of water and the direction the water is flowing in.
Tapered rainwater heads feature a beading section around the top of the component to strengthen the rain head and add greater storm protection.
The design of the tapered rain head is much more traditional, suiting a traditional style of home.
Curved Rain Heads
A curved rain head can blend into almost any building design and can offer a seamless addition with a classic aesthetic. Such curved rainwater heads can be a cost-effective choice yet can complement modern and traditional property designs.
Box Rain Heads
Box rainheads are displayed in bold designs, from square designs and triangular styles, to unique splayed rain heads.
Box rain heads are simple and offer a practical use for your home, complementing almost any home and architectural style, particularly the more modern design.
Segmented Rain Heads
Segmented rain heads are uniquely designed with intricate architectural features. Such rain head designs are particularly complementary to luxurious properties, featuring ornate style features.
Round Rain Heads
A round rainwater head looks great and can add a modern aesthetic to a modern home. In addition, you can choose a half round or quarter round design of rain head to fit in areas with limited space.
Which Range of Rain Head Is Best?
RoofStuff offer a vast range of products to protect your roof, from Colorbond rainwater heads to the Ned Kelly range in a manor red colour. There really is a rain head solution to suit every home to prevent roof damage including roof flashing options as another protective solution.
Final Thoughts on Rain Heads
Rain heads are essential for your home, particularly if your location is prone to storms and heavy rainfall. You can use rain heads to control the flow of rain water entering your drainage system as well as stopping debris from entering your gutter and downpipes.
Visit RoofStuff now to find a range of information on flashing to suit any budget and installation type as well as roof repair solutions and ventilation options.
For further expert advice, read the RoofStuff blog.