A picturesque drain from a roof gutter
The first meaning of gutter mentioned in the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) refers to the wooden structure that, like a tile , allows the worker to rest his chest on a velvet loom .
Various ducts
In several South American countries, the term is used to refer to different types of conduits . A gutter can be a small channel that is intended for drainage or drainage .
The common shape of these conduits is that of a cylinder cut in half, so that the liquid travels through its concave face. It is important to note that it is generally manufactured and installed to form part of another larger structure, that is, the gutter is not left loose but rather merges with the environment .
roof gutter
Many times the concept refers to a cylindrical gutter or gutter , which is the conduit that is installed on a roof to receive water from precipitation and convey it to the rainwater network .
Typically, this gutter is located in the lower section of the roof, right at the edge of the eaves. U -shaped (that is, without being closed in its upper section), the gutter collects the water and channels it.
These gutters develop almost horizontally, with a very gentle slope. They are generally connected to vertical downspouts with grates at the joints that function as filters to prevent leaves and other solid elements from blocking the pipe.
Roof gutters are made of PVC , metal or ceramic , among other materials. They can display different colors that combine with the facade of the building.
Gutter cleaning
The main function of gutters on roofs cannot be fulfilled if we do not carry out cleaning and maintenance work with a certain frequency . Plant leaves, dust, and other debris can clog them and completely defeat their purpose. If we let this happen, we put the integrity of the roof at risk, since water will accumulate and begin to form fungi, rotting the wood little by little. Additionally, in winter there is a risk of it freezing and expanding, which often leads to gutters breaking.
It is advisable to clean them at least once a year , although the frequency should be proportional to the number of plants near the house. The first thing is to get a firm ladder high enough to reach the roof without problem. Clothing is also an important factor: we must avoid accessories that could snag or make us slip, and focus on resistant clothing, designed for this type of tasks, complemented with shoes and rubber gloves. To protect ourselves from insects and potential cuts, it is recommended to wear long-sleeved t-shirts, even in summer.
Since the first part of the cleaning job consists of removing the waste, it is advisable to tie a large enough bucket to the ladder, which we must lower from time to time to empty it. We must always leave the ladder close to the point we are cleaning, so the safest practice is to go down and move it in small sections.
Cleaning the gutter is essential for its proper functioning
The hopper
In the Spanish region of Aragon , finally, the canaleja is called canaleta: a piece that is linked to the hopper . The grains that fall from the hopper pass through the channel to reach the grinding wheel .
It should be remembered that a hopper is a container with an inverted cone shape and open at the bottom that allows the dosing of grains or similar elements. The grinding wheel , meanwhile, is the disc that rotates on the hearth to grind the grains.