If you need further help with rain gutter(water collector) please call 08158942188 or visit www.raincache.ng

What is a rain gutter?

A rain gutter (from Latin gutta : drop), also known as a "rain catcher", is a narrow channel, or trough, forming the component of a roof system which collects and diverts rainwater away from the roof edge. It is also known as an eavestrough (especially in Canada), eaves channel, dripster, water collector (in Nigeria) or simply as a gutter.

Why rain gutters

1. Rain gutter protects a building's foundation by channeling water away from its base.
The gutter also helps to reduce erosion and prevents leaks in basements.

2. Gutters prevent damage to the landscaping

3. Rain gutters prevent rain back-splash and protects painted wall or surfaces from dirt/mud splash.

4. Gutters are also very effective at keeping building egress areas clear of falling water. Going into a house entrance below water running straight off the roof in a heavy rain is literally like walking through a waterfall.

This major reduction in moisture also helps to keep the entrance surfaces dry and free of moss, slime, algae and other growths likely to cause slips

5. Rain Gutter provides a means to collect rainwater for later use (Rainwater Harvesting)

6. Rain gutters boost the value of your property. Properly customizing your water collection system adds value to the property.

Exterior Add-on increases the value of buildings. In fact, It has been revealed that exterior add-on has an 86% return on investment, for people in real estate - many home buyers do judge a book by its cover. Rain gutters make your building to stand out and unique in some way..

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6) Rain Gutter helps to keep entrance surfaces dry and free of moss, slime, algae and other growths likely to cause slips

In Summary:
Here are some benefits of installing rain gutter (roof water collector) on your properties.

1. It makes the soil around the house stable and prevent foundation issues. .
2. Protects your exterior wall from water damage.
3. Reduces need for repaint.
4. Increase valuation of your property ( + curb appeal).
5. Fascia protection.
6. Prevent driveway, walkway and concrete slab cracking.
7. Keep your entrance dry when it's raining.
8. Protect landscape
9. Prevent soil erosion
10. Water collection for later use

TYPES OF GUTTER

Gutters come in several sizes and shapes called profiles. The most common type of gutter used today is the open gutter, which comes in standard lengths.
Most residential gutters come in 5" and is made of either aluminum, steel, zinc, vinyl(PVC), or copper in a standard "K" style or Half round.

The typical 5 inch K-style gutter comes with 2 x 3 inch downspouts.
One foot of 5" K-Style gutter holds 1.2 gallons of water. K-Style gutters have more capacity than the Half-Rounds.
For commercial applications, box gutters, can be made in 7, or 8 inches or even larger custom sizes that hold even more water

Gutters come in all shapes, colors, and prices so you can easily find a match for your style of house and budget

SHAPES.
There are two basic types, and they’re referred to by the shape of their cross section. Both types come in 5- and 6-inch widths.

1. K-style gutters have flat bottoms and backs, and the front side of the gutter usually has a decorative shape, it is also called ogee and many styles are available. The “k” in the name refers to the vague curve of the outer shape when viewed from the side. These types of ornate gutters are popular with modern homes because of the molding-like silhouette. Coming in all manner of colors and finishes, including aluminum, pvc, galvanized steel and copper, these stylish systems easily blend into the architectural details of a home

2. Half-round gutters often are found on older, historic homes.The name for this gutter type isn’t hard to figure out, given the half rounded shape of the material itself. Half round gutters of today gained popularity in Europe as modern homes chose to adopt a period look similar to those used centuries ago. The main advantage to half round over k-style is the maneuverability of debris within the gutter itself, the symmetrically smooth interior of half round gutters are ideal for transporting runoff with ease. They are easier to clean and are less likely to corrode since water doesn’t have anywhere to collect.

Half round gutter systems hold less water than similarly sized k-style gutter systems, making them unappealing for homes in cities with heavy annual rainfall.

In general, K-style gutters have twice the capacity of their half-round gutter of the same width, and cost up to 50% more per linear foot. k-style gutter systems remain the industry standard because of the elegant shape resembling interior crown molding.

GUTTER MATERIALS

Residential gutters are made from various materials, including:

Aluminum

Most widely used material
Lightweight and easy to maintain
Won’t rust
.032- or .027-gauge thickness recommended for long-lasting duty in a place like Nigeria
Comes in various colors and can be painted
Cost (materials and labor): N5,500 – N7500 Per Linear meter



Copper

Exceptional beauty
Won’t rust
No need to paint; will develop a patina over time
Needs pro installation; seams and joints must be welded
Used primarily on high-end residences, luxury buildings and historic restorations
Pricey
Cost of pro install (materials and labor): N15,000 – N25,000 per linear meter



Steel

Strong
Galvanized steel resists rust but longevity is an issue; may start to rust after 5 to 10 years
Many color options; can be painted
Heavy and not recommended for DIY
Can be pricey
Cost of pro install (materials and labor): N6,000 – N8,000 per linear meter



Vinyl (PVC)

Lightweight and inexpensive; good for DIYers
Not many colors to choose from
Color susceptible to fading from UV sunlight
May crack, sag or warp in severe weather
Won’t support ladders placed against them
Cost (materials and labor): N2,000 – N4,000 per linear meter



Zinc

Durable and long-lasting
No need to paint; will develop a patina over time
Needs pro installation; seams and joints must be welded
Used primarily on high-end residences and historic restorations
Expensive
Cost of pro install (materials and labor): N10,000 to N15,000 per linear meter, Only in half-round (K-style not available in zinc)


DOWNSPOUTS
Downspouts come as either round or square, in widths from 3 to 6 inches. The most common sizes are rectangular:

2 inches by 3 inches
Decorative varieties, such as spiral shapes, are available.

The size and number of downspouts you’ll need depends on the capacity of your system.

Rule of thumb: You need one downspout for about every 10 meters of gutter. To increase the capacity of your gutter system, add more downspouts.

HOW MUCH GUTTER DO YOU NEED?
Figuring gutters sizes and capacities is a complex equation involving the size and slope of your roof and the average maximum rainfall your area can expect. We recommend leaving the calculations to your gutter installation professional.

For the most part, you won’t go wrong with a 5-inch, K-style gutter. “A 5-inch gutter is pretty standard and will handle rainfall just about anywhere in Nigeria

For Step by Step guide to select a match for your style of house and budget call 08158942188
Get FREE Quotation Here>>> http://raincache.ng/quote/

Imagine having spent so much in acquiring your dream home and after a few months, rain season hits; water starts pooling around your home, until one day you find your basement flooded. After the cleanup, there is just some paintwork needed to be done. But next year, there's more than only paintwork. And the year after that you are wishing it was only the paintwork because the bills are making a serious dent in your wallet.

As good as the rain water is if not channeled well, its not a friend of your building. It can decrease your property's lifespan, reduce your propertys valuation,damage exteriors,causes Foundation Damage, Flooded Basements and Garden Erosion.

With our American Aluminum Rain Gutter( Roof Gutter, Water Collector), you don't need to panic when the rain starts. Your building will be safe from any Rain induced damage for a minimum of 20 years. Visit our website www.raincache.ng for more information or call 08136526631, 08158942188.
A STITCH IN TIME SAVES 9

Rain water can cause considerable damage to a building without a rain gutter. It causes more damage to a building than anything else.
Roof gutters are meant to channel water away from the house into the drainage system.
Not installing a Rain gutter can cause an assortment of problems and we shall be talking about some of the damages that the rainwater can cause a building without a functional rain gutter
• Damaged Exteriors
Excess rainwater freely flowing down the walls of a building, Chips or peals paintwork, making the walls damp and disheveling doors and windows are just some of the consequences of excess rainwater freely flowing down the walls.

Damp walls should be taken seriously as they can: cause unhygienic condition inside the building by inviting diseases, damage electrical installations and short circuiting, disintegrate the wall by causing mechanical injuries to the wall and it also makes the wall decay.

COST OF ROOF GUTTERS

Gutter cost will vary depending on the type of materials, installation method (DIY or professional installation), the gutter company and your location.
You can read more about cost of gutter materials here: https://raincache.ng/blog/types-of-gutters-and-costs/

Do-It-Yourself Gutters Installation
If you’re planning to install your own gutters, DIY PVC gutters may be your best bet. Generally it can be installed by homeowners with moderate skills and tools, you virtually just plug the entire system together. DIY PVC gutters are available online and comes with silicone gaskets that compress to form tight, leak-proof seals. PVC doesn’t rust or rot, but it can become brittle over the years and crack when the weather is harsh. PVC tends to deteriorate from exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays and you may need to replace the whole systems in less than 5 years.
PVC gutters are relatively inexpensive at N1, 000 per meter, but you must factor in the cost of accessories/fittings, which push the overall price per lineal meter up a bit (find below picture of PVC gutter and accessories).

The biggest downside to DYI gutter installation is that they are sold in sections and 99% of homeowners would not be able to install them properly. These tend to leak a lot more and faster, compared to seamless ones. So while you will save initially, you also have to consider that you will have gutter repair costs in the future. It is also possible that full replacement may become necessary as quickly as in 2-3 years.

Find below, pictures of PVC Gutter and accessories.

PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED GUTTERS

The best of installed gutters are seamless, which are custom-fashioned right on-site. Metals such as Aluminum, copper and stainless-steel are generally chosen for high-end installations. And though wood is rarely used anymore, architectural purists will opt for it. Here we take a look at the Aluminum gutters, you can read more on other materials here >> http://raincache.ng/blog/types-of-gutters-and-costs/

ALUMINUM RAIN GUTTERS
Aluminum are the most cost-effective and popular choice of homeowners. In fact, over 90% of professional installs are with aluminum gutters. Their biggest advantage is that they will not rust! Moreover, they are lightweight and highly efficient at carrying water away from your house. If installed well, Aluminum will last more than 60 years.

Aluminum gutters are available in a range of thicknesses, including .032, .027, and .025 inches. It is recommended to choose the thickest 0.032 material, as it’s a lot more durable. Also, be sure to get primary as opposed to secondary aluminum. It costs a little more, but offers more uniform consistency. Secondary aluminum is made from recycled aluminum scraps, and is typically not as strong and consistent.

Aluminum gutters cost from N5, 000 to N6, 500 per lineal meter installed. So, an average duplex of 72m in Nigeria will cost N386, 000 to install aluminum rain gutters.
See below pictures of Aluminum Gutter

RAIN GUTTER ACCESSORIES

If you are planning on having your gutters professionally installed or taking on the task of installing them yourself, www.raincache.ng has everything you need to get started. Our buying guide will help you choose the perfect gutters and accessories for your home and provide some basic installation and maintenance tips to protect your property from water damages.

Below are some of the basic descriptions of the accessories you need to know when working with gutter system.

GUTTER

This is the horizontal length of guttering (usually comes in standard length of 4 meter or custom length for seamless run). It attaches to the roof fascia. This channel collects water from the roof and slopes to send it through the drain outlets

OUTLET:
This piece drain water from the gutter to the downspout.
(It is a hidden component in Aluminum gutter system therefore it is not visible from the outside)

HIDDEN HANGER:
A type of hanger that sits inside the gutter section near the open mouth so that it cannot be seen from below or in front. It consists of a bent piece with a hole in one side through which the screw goes into the eave. The other end of the hanger is braced against the inside front edge of the gutter section to give it support.

OUTER CORNER MITER:
Miter is the cornering section of a gutter system. It can be box miter, strip miter or bay miter.
The piece that joins two section of gutters at the outer corner is called outer miter.

INNER CORNER MITER:
They are used at inner corners to join two sections of gutter

ENDCAP:
This is a flat piece shaped like the gutters they are used to close off the open end of gutter section to keep water from straying out of the guttering system. It comes in Right and Left piece.

ELBOW:
A bent or curved piece of pipe used to connect sections of downpipe at corners or bends.

DOWNSPOUT/ DOWNPIPE:
A vertical section of gutter system which is attached to the wall and through which water flows down from the gutter.

PIPE CLIPS/ PIPE BAND:
They are used to secure downspout/ downpipe to the wall.

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SEALANT:
These are gutter adhesives that is used to waterproof joints of gutters and drainpipes.

TOUCH-UP PAINT:
This spray paint can be used to touch up scratches, dirt or other areas where cuts have been made during installation.

SCREW:
It comes in different sizes, Size #8 (zip screw) is used to fasten gutter components and Size #10(hex screw) is used to secure the gutter system to the fascia and wall.

GUSHER GUARD:
It is used at the valley of the roof (inner corner) to prevent rain from overflowing.

SPLASH BLOCK:
An extension at the end of a downspout to keep water from pooling near the foundation, sometimes called a downspout extension.