Graphical Construction Glossary >> Roofs and roofing. >> Roof Features >> gutter overflow

gutter overflow

An extra gutter outlet or scupper at a higher level than the normal outlet. To safely direct the water outside if the main outlet gets blocked or is overloaded.

Above the rainwater header in this photo it is possible to see one of the overflows that service this gutter.

This particular parapet gutter shows good design in that it has two sets of outlets, overflows, rainwater heads and downpipes for a fairly short run of about 8M.

It also has the overflows placed directly over the leader heads which allows the water to get away without staining the walls.

Quite commonly the downpipes are at longer intervals, but because the overflows are usually quite small there would be two or three of them

These small items are not to be overlooked because they perform wonders when they are required.

A section through a parapet wall showing the outlet and overflow from the box gutter.

Looking at the drawing above it is easy to see that the level of the bottom of the overflow is well below the height of the box gutter on the roof side.

• gutter overflow:-Back to top
  

If you didn't find exactly what you are looking for try this search tool that will search the site and the web.

"What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience?
All for ourselves, and nothing for other people, seems, in every age of the world, to have been the vile maxim of the masters of mankind." Adam Smith 1723-1790