Rainwater systems for architects

A rainwater package is usually resolved from the roof plan, the elevations and a handful of eaves and verge details. From those we can identify the contributing roof areas, the number and position of outlets, where a hopper is genuinely needed and where an offset will be forced by a plinth, string course or overhanging stone.

Where the drawings are silent — a common situation at technical design stage — we will say what we would specify and why, rather than leaving the decision to be made on site.

Cast iron, aluminium, copper and zinc each behave differently in weathering, weight, jointing and lifespan, and each carries a different cost. We give a straight comparison for the building in question rather than steering a specification toward one material.

Powder-coated finishes are available across the full RAL range, including matched heritage blacks and greys; copper and zinc are usually left to patinate. Where the client wants an existing profile matched, we survey and identify it before anything is ordered.

On listed buildings, like-for-like repair of existing rainwater goods is normally maintenance, while a change of material, profile or downpipe position usually requires listed building consent. We photograph and document existing systems, provide profile information for consent applications and speak to conservation officers where that helps a scheme through.

We can stay with a project after specification: pricing at tender, procuring the system, coordinating bespoke fabrication, installing to programme and issuing completion and maintenance information at handover.