The water drains into a gutter that is fed into a downpipe. A flat roof should have a watertight surface with a minimum finished fall of 1 in 80. They can drain internally or to an eaves gutter, which has a minimum 1 in 360 fall towards the downpipe.

What are gutters & downpipes? The valleys on your roof guide rainwater to your gutters, which are located on the edge of your roof. These gutters channel the water to your downpipes which as its name suggests, is a pipe that brings that water down to your drain.

Gutters and downpipes are often ignored until there are serious problems with drainage and run-off. Quality gutters and downpipes, typically steel with a zinc/aluminium alloy coating, ensure durability against harsh weather. The first sign of leaks or rust often warrants complete gutter replacement, unless localised issues exist.