There is a general belief that conservatory gutters should be free from standing water. This misconception leads many people to contact us to resolve a problem, which often does not exist. The following is a couple of questions that we find ourselves asked time and time again.
My conservatory guttering has been put on level is that a problem?
Well the answer is Yes but it is perfectly normal. A uPVC conservatory roof sits above the Ring Beam, which is usually between 75mm and 120mm in height and runs round the top of the conservatory frames. It is into the Ring Beam thatconservatory gutter brackets are designed to clip (like the K2 C8043, Ultraframe MGGB001, Synseal Global XGC5) twist-fit (like Aztec AZ924, Wendland RS32790, Eurocell CRS-8207) into place.
The frames are obviously meant to be fitted level, so it naturally follows that the Ring Beam is level. Subsequently the brackets and guttering are level. The affect of the guttering being level is that it will hold a certain amount of water.
Why does my conservatory gutter always hold water?
Modern conservatory gutters are fitted level and so will always hold water, however they are usually a high capacity ogee style. The amount of water they hold is governed by the number and position of outlets or downpipes that are fitted. Excess water being held in the gutter adds to the weight on the gutter brackets potentially causing them to snap, especially during colder temperatures where the prospect of freezing adds to gutter bracket snapping.
Any gutter that holds more than 25mm, in my opinion, needs to have additional downpipe(s) fitted.
Solution to Fix Conservatory Gutters from Holding Water
Fortunately, adding additional outlets is quite easy, especially if you know the manufacturer of the gutter. Fitting a Running Outlet (fitted between two straight lengths of gutter) or Stop End Outlet (fitted at the end of a single length of gutter) to existing guttering with a downpipe below is a relatively simple and cheap remedy.
If you don’t know the gutter manufacturer then an additional ‘spigot’ or ‘universal rainwater adapter’, like the Hunter R400 Uni-Fit, can be fitted to most conservatory guttering. When fitting extra downpipes consideration should be given to where the water runs to – an existing drain or gulley is ideal, or even fitting a water butt. You should be careful not to direct the rainwater towards concrete foundations as constant running water can cause erosion and future problems.