The Taming of the water flows

Everyone knows that the water lies a great power. And it was her property is successfully used by mankind in his "selfish" for many centuries. That's why people are always treated with respect to this vital to the natural product.

But from a product-essential water can turn into uncontrollable element that could destroy the strongest structures. To avoid this, people learned to "tame" the watery element and use its power for peaceful purposes. One element of this "taming" - gutter system designed to collect and divert rain and melt water from the roof.

Why is it necessary?

Experts believe that the diversion of water from the surface of the roof - one of the most important tasks when building houses. Professionally executed installation of drainage system helps to protect the facade, basement and foundation of the action of water, so - from destruction. Thanks to the drainage system around the house do not form puddles of water flowing down from the roof and, in general, the facade becomes a complete and attractive kind.

A bit of theory

Considering the drainage systems , experts note that the diversion of water from the roof surface can be carried out in various ways.

The simplest - water from roofing (pitched roof) drains directly to the ground. This way of specialists roofers called unorganized drainage. This method is justified only in a small building with a pent roof, and provided that the water will not fall on the sidewalks. But all the negative consequences of informal drainage system (damage to the facade elements, the destruction of the cap and as a result - premature wear foundation because of the excessively high hydrostatic load) building was full.

To reduce the negative effects of informal drainage increase the removal of the cornice (usually not less than 60 cm), and to prevent water from flooded residents, over the entrance to the house set the visor.

But this, according to experts - half-measures. Completely avoid the negative effects of roof water flows can only organized drainage. There are two known types of organized drainage - internal and external. In Ukraine, where necessary, use an internal drainage system organized when its elements are located inside a building, usually at some distance from the exterior walls to the pipe does not freeze.

But more widespread use, experts say, our developers got organized outdoor drain. It is formed of water drainage system, which has full integration of all necessary elements, including fasteners. The shape of gutters and pipes can be circular and rectangular. Application of an element type defined aesthetic perception the general architecture of the building and the developer is chosen.

Elements of the drainage system

The composition of any drainage system must include horizontal nadstennye or hanging gutters, downspouts and vertical livnepriemniki through which the vertical elements of the drainage system connected to the horizontal.

In addition, water drainage system consists of a number of very important elements, including:

- Holders of drainpipes and gutters;

- Connectors downpipes and gutters;

- Contours of the protruding parts of the facade;

- Dead-end (terminal), objections, etc.

In general, experts note that a set of modern drainage systems include a variety of items quickly and easily produce their installation. This is sort of the constructor, which is a collection of various easily connects between a standard element.

And today, the developer has the opportunity to virtually any his plan. Because the domestic market presents a variety of drainage systems in form of drainpipes and gutters, and the material from which made these systems.

Material for rainwater systems

Say that the drainage system for Ukrainian citizens - a novelty, is not entirely correct. Domestic real estate developers have long used roof drainage systems, but to compare them with modern rainwater systems can not. Because until recently they were made obsolete by technology and, basically, artisanal or poluzavodskim way, and priority was given to galvanized steel, in rare cases - copper. All this affects the quality rather narrow range of elements and the drain fixture, greatly complicates the installation of drainage system.

Currently, for the manufacture of drainage systems along with traditional uses and new materials, and most importantly - new technology. For the production of temporary roofing systems are used mainly two materials - PVC and metal.

Rainwater systems from PVC

First gutters made of PVC were produced, approximately in 1960, and their appearance helped overthrow of old traditions device drainage systems. Due to the plastic eliminated the need for workshops where bent gutters and downspouts sealed.

With a number of advantages over traditional galvanized drainage systems from PVC rapidly began to gain confidence builders. Today, many homes abroad, and in Ukraine it is equipped with a rainwater systems from PVC. Why?

Gutters made ​​of PVC can withstand temperatures from - 40 ° C to 70 ° C. Gutters have a smooth inner surface, and thus they do not accumulate dirt, leaves and other debris from the roof, which increases the life of the gutters, and reduces costs for operation and maintenance of drains. Their lifetime - not less than 10 years. They are resistant to the effects of rainfall and ultraviolet radiation, does not require a protective paint and special care during operation. The advantage of plastic drainage systems - the aesthetics and colors and not a complicated setup.

Gutter system made of PVC can be used both on large and in small buildings. A wide variety of pipes, gutters and fasteners allows for the installation of drainage system at the eaves of any complexity, without requiring costly. The connection elements of the system, depending on the brand manufacturer shall glue method, and also with rubber seals.

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Considering the domestic market of drainage systems from PVC, the experts unanimously agreed that it is 100% of foreign-made products, including leaders in the manufacture of plastic guttering.

British system are products of the company HUNTER Plastics Ltd., Which makes drainage systems from PVC (polyvinyl chloride hard). Assembling the elements of the system is carried out on the gaskets of the heat-resistant rubber, resistant to adverse natural influences and is highly durable. The company HUNTER Plastics Ltd., Has a number of patented developments in the production of drainage systems: the longitudinal direction inside the trench, which accelerate the flow and level it, eliminating spray and rotary latches Surefit, which accelerate the assembly, reducing the need for special tools for assembly.

For developers, focused on French elegance and quality in the domestic market are drainage system by NICOLL, made of PVC with the addition of titanium oxide, which preserves the original color and luster of gutters, and prevents the loss of the properties of plastic throughout life. Another distinguishing feature of drainage «Nicoll» - the use of special compensating elements, which completely eliminate the effect of expansion of plastic, depending on ambient temperature. With the same purpose, gutters and pipes are made of dark color with a bright inner liner. All this allowed the use of adhesive bonding elements of the installation, which significantly prolongs the life of the entire drainage system and increases the reliability of the joints on the course.

Due to various sizes, elegant presence of non-standard forms of pipes and gutters, as well as a wide range of accessories that can be done to create a plan of drainage system of any complexity, thus creating a harmony of beauty and reliability. Rainwater systems NICOLL meet European standards NF EN - 607. ITB NJ - 2/963/95 PZH B - 1482/93 and the quality certificate ISO 9002.

In addition to the company NICOLL on the market there products and other French manufacturers, for example, firms GIRPI.

Reliable and proven in the Ukrainian market and gutters PROFiL (Poland). System PROFiL 90, 130 passed a series of tests on the strength of the snow load, they are successfully coping with the withdrawal of water. For example, the gutter PROFiL 130 can efficiently drains water from the surface of 110 square meters, using only one tube, a PROFiL 90 - from the surface of 70 sq.m.

It should be noted that production of Polish producers, occupies a significant portion of the domestic market, but the system PROFiL, presented a number of companies - GAMRAT, WAVIN and KACZMAREK, as well as the company's products Plastmo (Denmark, Poland). Held at the State Laboratory of Denmark (Statsproveanstalten) test showed that at +20 ° C impact strength gutters Plastmo 5 times higher than that of cast iron pipes, and at a temperature of -20 ° C - 3 times stronger than cast iron pipe .

In addition to the above manufacturers drainage systems, a Ukrainian property developer is already familiar with the other, including Marley Werke GmbH (Germany), Scala Plastics (Belgium) and Extra (The Netherlands). More than 10 foreign manufacturers are trying to win over domestic builders.

Metal gutter systems

Modern production technologies allow to produce high-quality roof drainage systems from materials such as:

- Galvanized sheet steel with polymer coating (Metal);

- Steel sheet coated AluZink.

Drainage systems are made of titanium, zinc and aluminum and copper. But do not forget the usual galvanized roofing gutters (zinc).

Metal-plastic system

The basic material for the manufacture of gutters - hot dip galvanized steel. Which structurally consists of a sheet of stainless steel, the layers of zinc, passirovki, soil, the polymer coating (or plastisol pural). Metal has a durable and flexible, and plastic coating provides good protection, color stability and corrosion. In the manufacture of gutters, the polymer coating is usually from two sides. Durability of quality systems, made of this material is about 50 years, the same as metal.

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The situation in the market of metal systems is more optimistic, compared with rainwater systems from PVC. Since the rainwater from a steel sheet coated produce and local producers, such as "Zahіdspetsprofіl», «Metalmaster UA» (Kiev), "Albatross" (Dnepropetrovsk), and others.

Given the strong competition, the Ukrainian manufacturers are using advanced materials and manufacturing techniques of rainwater. For example, the drainage system "Zahіdspetsprofіl" is made of galvanized Swedish steel with double-sided coating.

Talking about the market segment occupied by domestic producers, they occupy about 15-25% of the Ukrainian market, respectively, 75-85% - production of foreign producers.

Among imports a significant portion of the domestic market is occupied gutter system companies: Rannila ® (Finland), Lindab, SIBA, WIJO, Knudson »(USA-Russia), Metal Profile (Russia).

Gutter system, made of sheet steel with polymer coating is characterized by high resistance elements, the simplicity and ease of installation, wide range of colors. In this case for steel sheet characterized by a slight expansion at elevated temperatures, and hence there is no need to use special, expansion elements. In addition, due to plastic coating system can withstand the spillway temperature extremes from -50 ° C to +120 ° C, which allows its use in all climates.

Drains coated AluZink

In addition to color coated steel sheets used for the manufacture of rainwater systems, can be coated AluZink - a special alloy of aluminum and zinc, developed and patented by Bethlehem Steel (USA). Aluminum and zinc alloys is characterized by more stable characteristics than each component separately.

Practical experience has shown that the optimum corrosion protection provided by an alloy consisting of 55% in aluminum - on 43,4% - from zinc and 1,6% - from silicon. In this case, zinc protects the steel vulnerable to trimming the edges and scratches in places, creating a so-called cathodic protection. When exposed to moisture forming a galvanic cell, which causes the zinc to migrate and protect metal from corrosion. Aluminum coating protects thanks to their excellent corrosion properties. Silicon is added to obtain the correct reaction between alloy and steel sheets, as well as to ensure that the welding line between the steel and alloy layer is very thin, providing good adhesion and forming properties.

On the Ukrainian market gutter system, the coating is represented by products of the company «Metalmaster UA» (Ukraine).

Gutters of titanium zinc

Domestic developers are being offered gutter system made of titanium-zinc - alloy, consisting of 95% zinc and 5% - of titanium and other additives (copper and aluminum). Copper and aluminum gives this material the necessary flexibility, and titanium - corrosion resistance. Abroad, this material is known as D-Zinc "wrought zinc. This modern high-tech material that 1,5-2 times cheaper than copper. In addition, he belongs to a class noncombustible building materials.

But in addition to a number of high consumer qualities of titanium-zinc has its own features. Experts point to the fact that at ambient temperatures below +7 ° C products from the alloy becomes brittle. In addition, the linear expansion coefficient of titanium-zinc approximately 30% more than steel. Therefore, in those climatic zones where there is usually hot in summer and cold in winter, the roof structures of the titanium-zinc provide compensation gap.

Given that the titanium-zinc - alloy non-ferrous metals, he in contact with iron and copper form a galvanic pair, resulting in growing effect elektrokorrozii. Therefore, when installation of roofs and gutters to ensure that the titanium-zinc details have been isolated from contact with the products of these metals.

Of the titanium-zinc roofing guttering produces a number of manufacturers, among which occupy a special place drains Vennemann (Germany).

Gutters made ​​of aluminum and copper

Along with the systems, a fraction (5-10%) of the domestic market of roof drainage systems occupy a gutter system made of aluminum and copper.

According to experts, aluminum water drainage system on the parameters and technical qualities similar to that of steel. It differs in that is three times easier and less prone to corrosion. Therefore, aluminum gutters can not be painted.

Gutter systems in copper differ from other drains its longevity without any additional surface treatment. Thanks patinovoy film formed by oxidation in air, copper is extremely resistant to wear.

In the domestic market roof gutters made of aluminum and copper, the company offers Centrostal Bydgoszcz ZA (Poland). Aluminum gutter system REYNOLDS (USA) coated produces firm "Master Profi" (Dnepropetrovsk).

Cost

As experts say the cost of drainage systems can be divided into four price ranges:

- The first - a range of low prices - galvanized roofing gutters (zinc) of domestic producers;

- The second - the range of reasonable prices - products made of PVC;

- The third band of average prices - gutter system made of galvanized steel sheet with a polymer coating and the coating AluZink, a well as the gutters of titanium zinc and aluminum;

- The fourth - a range of high prices - copper gutter system. It is the high cost of copper spillway systems - the only factor preventing their wider application, not only in Ukraine but also in the whole world.

Substantially affect the price of the form gutters and pipes. The round shape is cheaper: a simpler manufacturing technology and significantly less consumption of material.

In general, the cost of drainage systems are usually determined by the complexity of the roof, high-altitude marks and, of course, the area. Moreover, for most types of roofs, this figure ranges from 10 to 30% of the cost of the roof.

Например, стоимость всех элементов водосточной системы (не требующей компенсаторов теплового расширения) для обычного дома размерами 6x8 м с двускатной крышей составит около $700 (элементы системы изготовлены из оцинкованной стали с полимерным, покрытием), и около $350 (система из ПВХ).

Prospect

В данный период многие отечественные застройщики пока еще ориентируются на оцинкованные водостоки, как на самые дешевые изделия. Исходя из этого, можно сделать вывод: отечественный рынок водосточных систем находится на этапе формирования.

Однако новые технологии и материалы, используемые в современном строительстве «заставят» рынок меняться и совершенствоваться. Уже сегодня просматривается тенденция более активного использования водостоков из ПВХ и стальных оцинкованных листов с полимерным покрытием.

Instead of a conclusion

Рассматривая украинский рынок водосточных систем, специалисты-кровельщики отмечают, что сегодня кровельные водостоки — неотъемлемый элемент любого здания, такой же, как кровля или стены. И экономя на установке водосточной системы, застройщик должен быть готов к регулярным расходам на ремонт фасадов и других элементов здания.

Источник: Бойко Н. / Строительство и реконструкция. 2003. №6. С. 22-24

Водосточные системы