Rain gutter – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A rain gutter is a narrow channel, or trough, forming the component of a roof system which collects and diverts rainwater shed by the roof. It is also known as an eavestrough (especially in Canada), eaves channel[1]guttering or simply as a gutter.

The main purpose of a rain gutter is to protect a building's foundation by channeling water away from its base. The gutter also helps to reduce erosion, prevents leaks in basements and crawlspaces,[2] protects painted or stained surfaces by reducing exposure to water,[3] and provides a means to collect rainwater for later use.

Rain gutters can be made from a variety of materials such as cast iron, lead, zinc, galvanised steel, painted steel, copper, painted aluminium, PVC (and other plastics), concrete, stone, and wood. More information on copper rain gutters is available.

Water collected by a rain gutter is fed, usually via a downspout or "downpipe" (traditionally called a leader or conductor[4]), from the roof edge to the base of the building where it is either discharged or collected.[5] Water from rain gutters may be collected in a rain barrel or a cistern.[citation needed]

A rain gutter may be a:

A Box gutter is a deep gutter which is concealed within the structure of the roof.[5]

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Cold forming technology exists to allow continuous gutters to be created, on site, in long individual lengths suitable to roof edge conditions, thereby reducing joints along the length of the gutter. These mostly joint free gutters are referred to as "seamless", and available in various shapes, sizes, and finishes.[8]

Rain gutters can be equipped with gutter screens, micro mesh screens,[9] louvers or solid hoods to allow water from the roof to flow through, while reducing passage of roof debris into the gutter.[10]

Clogged gutters can cause water leakage into the house as the water backs up. Clogged gutters can also lead to stagnant water build up which allows mosquitoes to breed and also allows grasses and weeds to grow in the gutter.[11]

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Rain gutter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia