The first rain gutters originated in the Indus Valley civilization as early as 3000 BC. C. Until 1500 BC, the gutters of this time were made of drains covered with burnt clay bricks. The history of rain gutters dates back to the Indus Valley civilization between 3000 BC.
and 1500 BC C. Built with bricks made of burnt clay, these old gutters would serve less than today's. Around 3000 BC C., early civilizations used burnt clay and brick gutters as a primitive sewage system. This protected their homes from damage.
It is also the oldest design of what would become the modern gutter we know today. In the early 20th century, steel became the preferred material for rain gutters because of its strength and resistance to rotting. Then, in the 1960s, seamless gutters were invented using a roll forming machine and an aluminum coil. This technology allows gutters to be manufactured on site and to fit the exact dimensions of a structure.
Did you know that gutters date back to the Romans? In 47 AD, the Romans brought the concept of gutters to Great Britain. There is not much information about the ancient technology used, however, they were built with bricks made of clay. This early technology was used to drain excess water from structures. Parapet gutters and valley gutters discharge into internal rainwater pipes or directly into external downpipes at the end of the route.
Surface tension or reverse curve protectors reduce obstructed gutters by narrowing the opening of the gutters. Although the gutter itself has changed for the better over the years, the outlet (hole in the gutter at the top of the downspout) hasn't. From traditional gutters with open covers to K-style gutters, filters and mosquito nets for gutters and covers, there are many options for homeowners. So, unless you've already learned all about the history of gutters in your high school history class, here's a chronology that describes the formation, evolution and modernization of gutters.
Since you're interested in keeping your gutters clean of debris, you might be wondering how gutters came into existence in the first place. The water collected by a rain gutter is supplied, usually through a downspout (also called a guide or conductor), from the edge of the roof to the base of the building, where it is discharged or collected. While gutter grids and filters offer some protection, they don't prevent all debris from entering the gutter system. We offer free in-home estimates that include a detailed analysis of your current gutter system along with the estimated installation costs of your K-Guard gutter system.
At the beginning of the 18th century, cast iron became a very abundant and cheap material, which changed the history of rain gutters. During the 1960s, rainwater pipes, gutters and downspouts with plastic materials were introduced, followed by PVC floor systems, which became viable with the introduction of annular seals. In the 1960s, the gutter industry was completely revolutionized with the invention of the seamless aluminum gutter machine. However, the outlets of all gutters should be checked and cleaned frequently, as even a small amount of dirt can obstruct an outlet and render the gutter useless.
