Rain gutters are the shallow troughs placed on the edge of your roof. They’re used to collect rainwater, and a proper gutter system protects your home.
To keep your gutters working efficiently for as long as possible, you should make use of rain gutter accessories. The rain gutter accessories you require depend on the individual circumstances and overall condition of your home. These rain gutter accessories can significantly increase the efficiency and look of your eavestroughing. To ensure you get the right ones, consult a professional.
Rain gutter accessories have multiple functions. They are both functional and decorative. Below are six must-have rain gutter accessories:
1. Rain Chains
Rain chains are native to Japanese culture. The Japanese initially hung link chains from the roof and put a container on the ground to collect rainwater. Rain chains have now become famous all over the world, and the main styles used are link chains or cup chains.
The link chain features a modern design. It is modified with lines that increase its visual appeal and help maintain the original Japanese design.
Cup chains come in shapes that either resemble cups, bells, or flowers. Each cup includes a hole at the bottom and an aluminum or copper finish. These cups are chained together and aligned vertically. They are preferred over link chains because they collect higher volumes of water and splash less.
Rain chains can be considered decorative rain gutter accessories too, and the sound they emit as they collect rainwater is captivating.
2. Splash Blocks
Splash blocks are either made of plastic or concrete. These rain gutter accessories can direct rainwater away from the house, especially during a storm or during periods of prolonged rain. This is because the water pressure, volume, and speed tend to be high. Plain splash blocks have a rectangular shape, an open-ended side and a close-ended side.
However, for decoration purposes, they’re also available in designs such as ponds, classic styles, animal or leaf shapes, and cascades. The block is installed beneath the downspout to prevent water damage and soil erosion.
3. Gutter Guards
Gutter guards are filter barriers attached to the gutter to prevent branches, pests, leaves, and other unwanted debris from entering. They also prevent cracks and clogs in the gutters. They’re available in different varieties, making them easy to adapt to the different types of gutters.
Foam gutter guards are made of polyether foam. Once installed inside the gutter, they create a permeable top through which water regularly flows as the guards catch most of the debris.
Most gutter guards require little or no maintenance. They are cheap and can resist UV rays. Solid cover guards cover most of the rain gutter’s surface. These rain gutter accessories are typically installed along a roof’s slope, allowing water to flow into them while the leaves fall over naturally.
Solid cover guards are long-lasting, which make it easier to perform eavestrough cleaning. Mesh and screen guards are the most commonly used due to their affordability and availability. They’re made of plastic or metal, and their primary function is to keep out bulky debris.
They can adjust to different types of roofs, such as wood, slates, tile, shingles, and steel. All gutter guards enhance the appearance and durability of a draining system.
4. Downspouts
These are vertical pipes for draining rainwater from a gutter to the ground or a drain. They can also connect to other pipes and drain water to specific points.
Downspouts prevent water damage. They also make for an efficient drainage system. These rain gutter accessories are made from the same materials as the rest of the gutter system.
A RainQuiet can be installed on your downspout to reduce noise from water flowing down the pipe. It does this by absorbing rainwater before it hits the metal pipe. To control water flow, downspout extensions are added to this accessory.
There are many types of downspout extensions. These include underground extensions, which allow the water to flow into an underground collection system.
You can use flexible extensions to connect several other extensions, allowing them to bend around corners with ease. Flip-up extensions have hinges that flip them up when they’re full of rainwater. Roll out extensions are mechanical. Once filled with water, they roll a few inches out, then retract automatically afterwards.
5. Ornamented Gutter Hangers
Instead of nailing the gutters to the fascia board, you can add a decorative touch to them by using ornamented hangers. These hangers are placed along the gutter and then attached to the fascia board.
There are various hangers you can choose from. This makes it easy to complement your gutter designs, giving them a seamless look. Using these hangers increases the visual appeal of your front yard.
6. Snow Guards
These devices restrain ice and snow from falling from a higher surface to a lower one. This is critical to avoid damaging property, plants, or hurting people below the roofline. They’re installed following a specific pattern based on the size, shape and pitch of the roof.
In places where snowfall is common, snow guards are installed in rows as avalanche control. This rain gutter accessory isn’t designed to hold back snow but to separate it into smaller pieces, which minimizes damage.
Sometimes, they can be used to highlight a design and the aesthetic appeal of a roof. Snow guards are available in designs that match various roof types, and they can be coloured according to preference.
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