Graphical Construction Glossary >> Roofs and roofing. >> Roof Features >> rainwater head

rainwater head

A funnel or boxlike head at the top of a down pipe or downspout for the collection of rainwater from a gutter outlet or overflow.
Also know as:-water header, rainwater sump, leader head, conductor head.

R-heads or leader heads on the outside of a building.

Rainwater heads or conductor sumps are a means for the rainwater control system to handle unexpected heavy loads, and if necessary to overflow.

Because they do not have a top on them they are designed to overflow rather than allow the lot more serious condition of water backing up inside the external walls.

To allow them to do their design function they should be checked periodically to make sure that they have not become clogged by extraneous materials.

Note! The whole of a rainwater control system should be checked from time to time. In particular just before an expected wet season.

My version of Murphy's law states "that anything that can be thrown onto a roof will be thrown onto a roof". In addition expect to find leaf mould, small animal nests etc. etc.

A section through a parapet wall showing the outlet from the box gutter to the downpipe or downspout via a leader head.

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"When we build, let us think that we build for ever."John Ruskin 1819-1900