Published 08/13/2013
Alan Bradley Roofing - Best Quality at the Best Price for Roofing Specialists in Tucson, AZ
Scuppers reinforce the roofing and prevent excess water from accumulating on the roof, which can lead to significant water damage. When combined with a complete drainage system, the water accumulated is redirected, preventing damage to the roof and structure.
These roofing applications are sometimes used with gutters and downspouts and facilitate the proper flow of water away from the structure.
Scuppers are often used as a part of a comprehensive drainage system. With downspouts and gutters, the rainwater system can divert significant amounts of water away from the property. This addition to a drainage system provides more protection for the property. Enlarging a scupper may be necessary to get maximum benefit from installing the application.
The scupper is not necessarily designed to serve as the primary draining component. Instead it is enlarged to catch water missed by the gutters and other drainage applications. When used in conjunction with gutter systems, the conductor can be widened to maximize performance of the system. Roofing experts recommend that if a scupper is incorporated into the drainage system, it should extend beyond the building structure to minimize the likelihood of structural damage.
Sometimes the scupper must be lowered to support the drainage system. This is often done to ensure that the water is stored further away from the structure. If the water is allowed to accumulate too close to the structure, it can cause structural and internal damage in some cases. Installed at the perimeter of the roofing area, it is often the designated secondary drainage source for the system. Lowering the scupper puts it in a position to collect an even larger amount of water.
The scupper can function as the primary or secondary drainage component in a system. It is installed by penetrating the drip edge or other wall area to facilitate drainage. Once it is installed, it connected to the downspout portion of the gutter system. Whether used as an emergency or secondary drainage system, its function is to redirect water further away from the structure. When lowering scuppers or enlarging scuppers, the roofing contractor will assess the slope of the roof and take into account the health of the gutter system to determine whether or not it would benefit the structure. Many homeowners have found that installing scuppers have yielded savings in the long run in protecting the integrity of the roofing and strengthening the rainwater system.
