Micro-guttering for observatory roof?

[michaelmorris]

When opening the roof of my roll off roof observatory,  I sometimes get a small amount of water running off into the observatory.    Ideally, this could be solved by a length of guttering attached to the roof, so that it channels the water harmlessly outside.  The problem I'm having is that, in order not to snag on the end wall, the guttering needs to be VERY shallow (<20mm).  Any suggestions?

[mikeyj1]

Cable trunking could work, although its mostly white

[SlimPaling]

How about looking at Aluminium Channel (including anodised) ? ... it is available in a good range of sizes.

Mike

[JamesF]

Aluminium channel might be a better bet.  Cable trunking is a nice idea (and perhaps easier to fit), but I don't know if it would be up to permanent outdoor use.

James

[JamesF]

Oh, or you could possibly buy a length of square section guttering downpipe and run it through a bandsaw or something like that to get the depth you need?

James

[oobydooby]

You might consider polytunnel guttering.  B&Q and garden centres, or even Two Wests and Elliot may have something suitable.

[Owmuchonomy]

Caravan guttering or drip stop as used on touring caravans and motorhomes. It’s deep, flexible but narrow?

[Dr_Ju_ju]

There's a 76mm diameter guttering made for sheds etc., e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Small-Guttering-and-Fitting-Black-for-shed-porches-conservatories-etc/201338463728?hash=item2ee0b525f0:m:m0t_hnrIPdYomSbC2_DFWpw:rk:1:pf:0

[Astrokev]

This is the standard guttering that a lot of folks use, and that I've just put up on my build - my thread has several pics showing it. 

That said, it may not be small enough for what the OP needs?

[GraemeC]

Where are the drips coming from?  Ideally any water falling onto the roof would run off and fall clear.  Perhaps you need a drip strip between your roofing material and the roof frame.  If your roof is retaining pockets of rainwater after a shower then that might cause further problems later on.

[Astrokev]

Prior to me installing guttering on mine, I was having a similar problem. When the roof is wet, unrolling it obviously creates vibration which dislodges the water causing drops and runs to form, which just drip inside the obsy when the roof is open. Just the laws of physics at work I think. Guttering helps remove water dripping off the roof, but not water dripping from the underside of the guttering!

[paul mc c]

When you open the roof does the slant on the roof face towards the open area.

[JamesF]

Perhaps where there's not sufficient depth to add a gutter, some sort of (plastic?  metal?) lip that protrudes slightly above the plane of the roof might be sufficient?  I'm thinking that in heavy rain water might just flow over the top of it, but when there's just a little water on the roof it would either be stopped by the lip, or hit the lip and then run off to the sides?

James

[Astrokev]

51 minutes ago, paul mc c said:

When you open the roof does the slant on the roof face towards the open area.

Good point.

In my reply above my assumption was as you describe, which is indeed the case with my own obsy.

[paul mc c]

My obsy roof slopes to the front and when i slide it any rain water runs to the front away from the open area,i used to get a few drops that came off the back end of the roof,so i ran a line of silicone along the top of the roof and that stopped the little that would drip......it that makes sence.

The pic is the back end of roof.

[cotak]

There are adhesive j shaped rubber seals you can buy. Some of them are made for sides of vans or trucks. You can consider looking into them.

 

If they use the 3M vhb tape for attachment it's basically not going to come off. Those tape can have up to 90 ft-lb of holding power.

[Rusted]

Small gutters are a leaf, twig, moss and larch needle magnet.
I fitted these smaller gutters between my shed and observatory and wish I hadn't.
The small down pipes also block all too easily with the falling debris.

A rolling roof might benefit from an edge rail to contain the inertial deluge.
Probably best fitted before the covering.

[Astrokev]

Yes I was wondering about leaves and pine needles for my guttering. There is a huge Scots pine in a neighbours garden which covers our garden with needles at some times of the year. I think this could be a problem, so will be watching out for that. I may put some traps in the gutters to stop the downpipe getting blocked.

Kev

[JamesF]

10 minutes ago, Astrokev said:

Yes I was wondering about leaves and pine needles for my guttering. There is a huge Scots pine in a neighbours garden which covers our garden with needles at some times of the year. I think this could be a problem, so will be watching out for that. I may put some traps in the gutters to stop the downpipe getting blocked.

Kev

I find that traps just allow stuff to build up against them and then block the water flow

One thing I have seen that I intend to try at some point is a mesh that fits in the top of the gutter, allowing water to drip through but blocking leaves and suchlike from getting in.  No idea if it works, mind.

James

[Astrokev]

5 minutes ago, JamesF said:

I find that traps just allow stuff to build up against them and then block the water flow

One thing I have seen that I intend to try at some point is a mesh that fits in the top of the gutter, allowing water to drip through but blocking leaves and suchlike from getting in.  No idea if it works, mind.

James

Yes I tend to agree. Difficult to know what to do for the best. An overflowing gutter is no fun either way, as I've discovered with a large hopper on the main house roof high above my kitchen door. This fills with debris a couple of times a year (that pine tree again!) causing massive overflows which come through the seals around my kitchen door, flooding the kitchen