Many homeowners spend a considerable investment in quality roofing solutions, but this investment can quickly be undermined without a reliable and durable spouting system. A good spouting system provides much-needed protection for your home from all forms of water damage preserving its structural integrity and avoiding the gradual deterioration of both the building itself and its surrounding terrain, including gardens and landscaping.
The good news is that all buildings in New Zealand must have adequate guttering systems in place as dictated by law. The New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) provides the minimum performance parameters for the design and construction of roofs, including spouting requirements. Gutters must be able to cope with excess water runoff from the roof in a way that does not overwhelm the spouting system and efficiently disposes of the extra surface water without damage to the surrounding terrain.
What Is The Difference Between Spouting And Gutters?
You might have noticed the use of both the terms ‘spouting’ and ‘guttering’ in this article and in other places. So what is the difference? The short answer is there is no difference. They are the same product, the terms can be used interchangeably in New Zealand.
What Is Spouting And What Does It Do?
Spouting is metal or plastic formed in a way that it collects rainwater from your roof and disposes of it. The slightly angled spouting is situated on the edges of the roofing to most effectively collect water runoff. Spouting disposes of the water using gravity so that the water can flow to the downpipes and on to in-ground or city-wide drainage systems.
Why Are Gutters So Important?
While you may think gravity does all the work when it comes to getting rid of excess water, it’s not a completely effective method. For example, without spouting, rainwater would repeatedly fall off the edge of your roof, draining down your cladding, across windows and over other external features, or worse, remain on the roof!
The reality is rainwater tracking down the sides of the building or pooling on the roof will eventually find a way in. Any cracks, deteriorated sealant and areas such as windows, skylights, or chimneys are weaknesses in the water-tightness of the building. And we all know a leaking building can lead to expensive ongoing issues such as mould, rot and unhealthy living environments.
How Does Spouting Protect Your Home
Spouting provides organised drainage systems that prevent many of the common water-associated issues buildings and houses face when repeatedly exposed to the elements. Let’s take a look at some of the ways quality spouting can protect your home.
1. Reduces The Likelihood Of Siding Discolouration
Uncontrolled runoff can drag dirt and debris from the roof down the sides of the building, causing unsightly discolouration over time and/or lead to troublesome areas of mould. In the absence of gutters, it doesn’t matter how good the cladding is on your home, it is going to get damaged over time.
2. Prevents Unnecessary Erosion
Excessive surface water coming off the roof can erode and degrade surrounding landscapes and ground features. Water falling in the same place very quickly erodes the soil creating holes and crevices that are difficult to repair without proper guttering. Excessive groundwater can also kill off lawns and grass, creating unsightly brown, muddy areas that are difficult to repair.
3. Prevents Flooding
Anywhere there is too much water flow and inadequate drainage, you will get a build-up of water. This pooling can be exacerbated by heavy rain and the addition of stormwater. When water pools around the outside of your house there is a chance of it entering the home and causing flood damage to the building and its contents. This includes a greater risk of undermining and causing rapid decay in the foundations of the building.
4. Reduces The Occurrence Of Leaks
Pooling water can also be a problem up on the roof. If water has no place to drain, it will build up and pool in certain areas sitting for significant lengths of time until natural evaporation occurs. This pooling can allow water to enter the building in places it shouldn’t, causing the degradation of roofing materials and creating ideal conditions for mould and mildew growth along with pest infestation.
5. Prevents Moisture And Mould Build-Up
Water or dampness accumulating in your roof or walls can very easily lead to black mould appearing in your home. Sometimes, the entire roof space can become contaminated in a worst-case scenario, leading to a very unhealthy living environment. Any kind of dampness in the home also contributes to a coldness that is difficult (and expensive) to rectify.
6. Offers A Step Onto The Eco-Friendly Ladder
Harnessing the water that the spouting and downpipes contain can be a step towards a more eco-friendly way of life. Preserving and reusing water is a big part of most eco-friendly processes, particularly within the building industry. This process will involve additional systems for rainwater collection, filtration and storage.
Choosing The Right Spouting Material
There is a wide selection of spouting products on the market, so how do you choose the right one for your house? First of all, you need to pick what the gutters are made from. The most common materials used here in NZ are:
- Copper Spouting. While durable and easy to maintain, copper spouting has two main drawbacks – the cost and the discolouration. The nature of copper as a building material is that oxidation occurs over a period of years which causes significant discolouration.
- ColorSteel Spouting. The use of ColorSteel products for reliable roofing solutions is a popular choice in New Zealand. This is largely because they look good, as well as being cost-effective and highly durable. For regions with heavy rainfall, steel gutters offer strength, ease of use, a streamlined effect, and they come in a wide range of colours and profiles.
- PVC. Gutters made from PVC are lightweight and durable, they are not strong as steel or copper gutters, but they are easy to work with and easy to replace. PVC spouting is ideal for regions with a moderate climate, for example, in coastal areas.
- Pre-Painted Aluminium. More durable than steel, aluminium offers a lightweight, durable and relatively malleable metal guttering solution, but it is a little more expensive than steel or PVC.
- Other less common spouting materials include Stainless Steel, Zincalume, and Galvanised Steel.
Common Spouting and Guttering Profiles
There is a range of practical and aesthetically pleasing spouting/guttering systems to choose from on the market, here are the basic profiles to look out for.
- Quarter Round. This profile provides simple yet classic lines formed with a flat bottom and sloping sides. Quarter Round gutters are suited to most residential applications and are usually attached with concealed internal brackets or external brackets.
- Half Round. An aesthetically pleasing profile, the Half-round is shaped like a half-circle and offers greater water-carrying ability. This style of gutter is usually attached with external brackets.
- K-Style Spouting. The extended sloping face of this profile offers the ability to hide the ends of the roofing iron and is particularly popular in low roof-pitch residential applications. Internal brackets are used to attach.
- Box Shaped Gutters. As the name suggests, this one has a box-like profile with square sides and right-angled corners. This type of gutter is suitable for high rainfall areas as it offers the most capacity.
- Old Fashioned Style Spouting. Old Gothic profiled gutters are often seen on restoration projects but are also popular on more modern projects wishing to achieve an old fashioned look. Gothic Spouting can be attached with either internal or external brackets.
What Is The Difference Between Traditional And Continuous Spouting?
There are two main spouting types when it comes to gutters in New Zealand, traditional and continuous.
Traditional spouting comes in pre-made lengths that are fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle. This allows the spouting to be fitted to homes of any size or shape. Joins are made where needed, which, while providing extra versatility, can also provide the potential for weak points within the spouting system. Therefore traditional spouting offers greater versatility, but it is more complex.
Continuous spouting has no joins except for the ones at the corners. The building is measured after the framing is in place and the spouting cut to size, creating smooth unhindered water flow. Continuous spouting, therefore, reduces the chance of blockages, rust, and increased deterioration that may occur from having added joins – overall helping to reduce ongoing maintenance requirements and potential issues. However, spouting of this kind can be more expensive to replace in pieces.
A quality spouting system is an integral feature of any building. It provides incredibly important protection solutions when seeking to maintain the integrity of the home. Need new gutters or can’t decide what type of spouting you want for your new home? Get in touch with Action Re-Roofing for expert advice on all of your roofing needs.
