Your Complete Guttering Jargon Buster

fascias, soffits and guttering explained

Like every profession, guttering installation and repair has its own jargon and language, which can be confusing if you’re not familiar with the trade. Whether you’re fitting or repairing your own guttering system or looking for a trained professional to handle the work, it helps if you know the right terminology.

What is a downspout? And other common guttering terms
In this article, we’ve put together a useful guttering glossary for anyone needing the right words to describe a guttering job. So from access pipes to splash backs, we cover all the important guttering terms you need to know.

Access Pipe
A section of downspout that includes a door you can open to remove blockages.

Downspout
A straight pipe that channels rainwater from your gutter to the drain.

Drainage
A system of drainpipes and gutters designed to carry water away from your property’s foundation.

Drip-Edge Extension (Also Called Back Flashing)
Also known as back-flashing, a drip-edge extension prevents water from splashing over the fascia of your roofline. This extension is an essential component as, without it, your fascia can rot, weakening the roofline and allowing water to penetrate the property.

Drop Outlet
A section of guttering that incorporates the hole through which water passes into the downspout.

Elbow
An angled piece of guttering that directs the flow of water.

End Cap
A flat piece used to seal off the end of a section of guttering.

Fascia Boards
Fascias board run horizontally along the top edge of a property, from one end of the roof rafters to another. They are fitted under the eaves and serves as a base on which to attach your gutters.

Gutter Brushes
Also called a leaf guard, this circular set of bristles filters out leaves and other debris while allowing the free flow of water. A great way to prevent clogs and blocks in your guttering.

Gutters
The horizontal half-pipes fitted to the fascia to channel rainwater and melted snowfall towards a downspout.

Hanger
A hanger is a metal bracket that secures the gutter to the fascia board.

Hopper Head
A hopper head is fitted below the gutter and allows the downspout to handle a greater capacity of water during heavy rains or when a snowfall melts.

Leader
A type of downspout that goes direct from the gutters to a well, sewer system or into the ground, rather than through the drainage system.

Pitch
The angle of tilt for your horizontal guttering which ensures water is channelled towards the downspout.

Run Height and Run Length
The run height refers to how high up the gutter will be and how long the downspout will need to be. The run length is how long the gutter runs along the fascia board.

Soil Pipe
A specialist pipe for carrying waste water from the property into a drainage system.

Soffit
Part of the roofline that is used to seal off the underside of the roof eaves. Usually fitted horizontally between the fascia board and the property, it prevents birds and vermin from nesting in the attic space.

Spigots and Sockets
These are the respective ends of each section of guttering and hold the system together. The spigot end of one section is fitted into the socket end of the other.

Splash Block
A concrete or plastic surface fitted beneath a downspout to prevent water from splashing onto the house.

Guttering Glossary: Final Thoughts

We hope our guttering glossary guide has provided you with a clearer insight to a number of key terms.

If you’re engaged in a guttering project in or around the Stoke-on-Trent area and need the help of seasoned professionals, get in touch with Rooftop Systems Ltd today. Call us on 01782 938282 do discuss your requirements or to get a free, no-obligation quote.

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