Rain gutters are common in most homes across the United States. However, have you ever wondered how rain gutter installation started and when it did? Rain gutters can be traced back to the middle ages when builders and homeowners sought out a way to protect their buildings from rainwater out of necessity. The rain gutter installed in your home may be advanced, but it serves the same purpose as the earliest gutters, to collect water and channel it away from your home and lawn.
How Gutters Came About
You will find it shocking to learn that gutters started as a primitive sewage management design. Around 3000 BC, gutters were channeled through the roads to push wastewater away from homes and other buildings. The idea that a tunnel could push water through the streets to a designated area formed the premise for the modern-day rain gutter.
Gutters were a common part of the Roman Empire design. The Romans used them to manage wastewater and sewage. They were often built on the sides of the roads and streets to help channel water away from residential areas, thus preventing common issues like flooding. The basic and rudimentary gutter design remained until about 47 AD, when the Romans introduced it to Britain.
Gargoyles Predated Downspouts
Downspouts, often a major part of the modern-day guttering system, were not always the order of the day. Instead, they were predated by lead gargoyles. Gargoyles were introduced to England by the Normans. The Normans, at the time, employed heavy stones that they gathered decoratively to spit water away from their buildings. In the modern world, some devices have been designed to mimic this same water dispersal model.
The Tower of London
King Henry, in 1240 ordered the installation of gutters on the White Tower at the Tower of London. The goal was simple, to channel water away from the white walls. Necessity caused the engineers to carve a single piece of lumber that would channel water away from the walls. These engineers were also the first to install downspouts that prevented splashes as the channeled water flowed away from the tower. The downspout channeled water into underground systems. As many more homes sprung up, rain gutters became part of the construction process. Homeowners explored different material options due to cost, scarcity, and aesthetics.
Cast Irons and the Colonies
Cast Iron was a common material used as gutters in Europe around the 1700s. However, being a heavy material, it fell and shattered a lot. This led to the exploration of stronger, lighter, and more durable materials. In America, homeowners explored softer wood options to replace cedar. Construction engineers developed boards lined with lead, zinc, or any other insulating materials to promote longevity. The V-shaped gutters were considered aesthetic and remained in use for a long time.
The Evolution of the 20th Century Gutters
Steel was a common material used in making rain gutters in the early 1900s. Many manufacturing companies produced half-rolled steel that was easily attached to the roof fascia. However, after World War II, new materials like plastic surfaced and were explored by engineers. In the 1960s, machines that could create seamless aluminum gutters were already in place. These machines produced custom-made gutters that offered lesser chances of leaks, improved durability, and other advantages.
Gutters have since remained the same over the years. Many homeowners have been able to save themselves from foundation problems, water damage, and flooding with the help of gutters. Learn more about gutters by visiting https://www.gutterilla.com
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