The lack of regular preventive inspection and maintenance of the drainage system leads to premature destruction of the plaster, basement and brickwork. Due to the hydrostatic load created by pouring streams of water, cracks appear in the blind area. The foundation is washed away, dampness appears in the basement and its inevitable companion - a fungus, gradually spreading to other rooms. Neglecting the rules of care does not affect the system in the best way. Where, with the timely adoption of measures, it was possible to limit to partial repair, subsequently it is necessary to carry out a complete replacement.
Types of drainage failures and their causes
A complete list of possible malfunctions is quite voluminous. It is worth considering the most common.
Gutter overflow with water
Even with heavy rain, the water should completely drain down the drain and not splash over the edge of the gutter or funnel.
Reasons for a possible overflow:
- clogging of the system with fallen leaves, fragments of branches, precipitated by sand and mud;
- improper installation;
- Incorrect calculation of element parameters.
A smooth plastic surface has a high slip coefficient, dirt sticks to it less.
If the angle of inclination is too small, the gutters overflow due to the slow flow of water. If the project contains elements with insufficient cross-sectional area, water does not have time to pass due to the low throughput of the system. In the gutter, which is incorrectly positioned with respect to the edge of the roof, the draining water flows only partially.
Mechanical damage and system integrity
During operation, holes, cracks, bruises occur in the system. Shifts occur, sometimes individual links fall out.
Causes of malfunctions:
- exposure to powerful water flows;
- the fall of large branches and trunks of trees, torn by gusts of wind;
- avalanche-like melting of snow and damage by blocks of ice;
- deformation and rupture due to frozen water in the winter;
- Installing fewer mounts
- thermal expansion of system elements.
In this regard, plastic has undoubted advantages over metal, but only if the material is made from high-quality raw materials in compliance with all requirements of the production technology. It is elastic, bends well, restores its original shape after deformation. Metal elements are less flexible, break more easily under heavy load. The fragile low-quality plastic suffers the same disadvantages.
Buy gutter systems made of plastic from reliable manufacturers: Döcke, Braas, Ruukki, Murol, Hunter, Technonikol, Ruplast, GrandSystem, Lindab, Scala, Vinylon, Alta-Profil, Grand Line.
Corrosion destruction
Galvanized steel gutters sooner or later begin to rust. Gradually rust corrodes thin-walled parts, through holes appear in the affected areas. Plastic and copper parts are not afraid of corrosion.
Instability and noise
The rigidity of the fastening of the elements is weakened under strong mechanical stress and the choice of unsuitable fasteners. With gusts of wind and in rainy weather, the system sways or sags, due to loose contact the elements periodically hit each other, making rattling sounds.
Systems made of plastic are less noisy with intensive drainage.
Types of repair work
It is necessary to check the serviceability and repair the drainpipes at least once a year, every spring, in the interval between the final descent from the roof of the melted snow and the beginning of the first rains. If possible, re-audit the system in the fall.
It is advisable to combine drainage repair with roof restoration work. This is convenient for repairmen and allows you to save on the price of work.
Gutter cleaning
Before starting work, gutters are cleaned of debris, dirt is removed with a stiff brush. The remaining ice remains cannot be chipped, it is better to let it melt on its own. At the end of the cleaning, they are washed with a stream of water under pressure. A blockage in the pipe is punched from above with a device with a long handle. To protect drainpipes from getting stuck in large debris, it is worth equipping funnels with Spider nets in advance.
Eliminate installation errors
The slope of the gutters towards the funnel should be at least 3 mm per 1 linear meter of length. If this rule is not observed, the bracket closest to the funnel is rearranged to the desired place and connected with the cord to the last in the row. The remaining brackets are fixed along the cord every 0.5 m.
For the most accurate flow of water from half to two-thirds of the diameter of the gutter should protrude beyond the edge of the roof. At the same time, the gutter must not cross a line that is a continuation of the roof.
On 1 m2 of roof area should be at least 0.00015 m2 of the cross section of the drain. If the ratio is not maintained, replace with elements with suitable parameters.
To prevent deformation due to thermal expansion, the ends of the gutter in the connectors and corners are installed along auxiliary lines. Seals are lubricated with a sliding compound that facilitates the displacement of the gutter.
Repair mechanical damage
Major damage is assessed visually. The tightness of the joints of the wall gutters and drainpipes, the presence of cracks and holes are checked during rain or artificial discharge of the flow of water from the roof.
Damaged gutters, funnels and pipes, bent clamps and brackets are straightened and repaired, if possible, or replaced with similar ones. The dropped links of the system are re-mounted. After installation, check the angle of inclination, reliability of fastening and tightness.
In winter, periodically lightly tap the drainpipes with a wooden stick to remove ice plugs. The installation of anti-icing systems and snow retainers prevents mechanical damage to gutters with snow, ice, and helps to avoid wall rupture with frozen water.
Reinforcement
Loose clamps and brackets tighten. If the holes are loose, take fasteners of a larger diameter and length or slightly shift the mount to the side. If necessary, install additional fasteners.
Required distance:
- between adjacent brackets for the gutter - 0.6 m;
- between adjacent pipe clamps - 1.8 m;
- from the funnel, straight and corner connectors - no further than 0.15 m.
Weak fasteners, not designed for the actual load, are replaced.
The corrupted area is cleaned of rust and soldered on a patch or sealed with butyl rubber tape with a metallized film.
The specifics of repairs at various sites
Depending on the object, the repair of the drainage system has its own characteristics, sometimes quite substantial.
Repair in the cottage
In a private country house, the drainage system is usually located at a low height and is accessible by using the stairs. The amount of work is small, the repair is not particularly difficult, there is no need to attract certified specialists and special equipment. The owner of the house is able to adjust the drainage system on their own.
Repair of internal drainage systems in high-rise buildings
On the flat roof of apartment buildings, in addition to the exterior, internal vertical drainage systems are used. Performing repairs in such conditions involves the analysis of the walls. Lining of drainpipes using FuranFlex technology allows corrosion-resistant composite materials based on fiberglass and artificial resin to carry out repairs without structural destruction.
High-altitude repairs of outdoor drainage systems
To access the drainage system in multi-story buildings, telescopic towers or scaffolding are used. Work at a very high altitude is carried out by industrial climbers using professional equipment and special equipment. Minor repairs and cleaning of gutters can be carried out from roofing ladders and bridges, if installed.
Cost of work
The price for the repair of the drainage system in an apartment building or private country house is affected by:
- design features of the drainage system;
- the complexity of troubleshooting;
- the need to attract industrial climbers and special equipment;
- scope of work.
In most companies, you can check the approximate price for telephone services and call the wizard for a free consultation, to draw up a work plan and evaluate their cost.
Estimated prices for the repair of the drainage system in the central part of Russia:
| Type of work | unit of measurement | Price, rubles |
| Gutter cleaning | pog. m | 100 |
| Gutter Slope Correction | pog. m | 100 |
| Replacing the gutter or pipe | pog. m | 350–1250 |
| Pipe alignment | pog. m | 100 |
| Repair of drain funnels, connectors, caps | PC. | 350–1500 |
| Strengthening brackets and clamps | PC. | 200 |
| Replacing Brackets and Hole Clamps | PC. | 400–600 |
| Telescopic tower or scaffolding | PC. | from 6000 |
| Climber Call | PC. | 4500–5000 |
