AU2018253468B2

AU2018253468B2 - Rainwater products

Info

Publication number: AU2018253468B2
Application number: AU2018253468A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Campbell John Seccombe
Original assignee: BlueScope Steel Ltd
Current assignee: BlueScope Steel Ltd
Priority date: 2008-05-30
Filing date: 2018-10-23
Publication date: 2020-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 2029-05-29
Also published as: AU2016273824A1; AU2010101105A4; AU2009210384A1; AU2010101105B4; AU2016216616A1; AU2022204728A1; AU2018253468A1; AU2020204322A1; AU2020204322B2; AU2009202147A1

Abstract

Rainwater overflow products are disclosed. One such product is a rainwater guttering (10) that comprises 5 a spacing element (18) that provides, when the guttering is mounted to a fascia (20), a gap (40) between a rear wall (14) and the fascia for enabling rainwater to overflow from the guttering, and with the gap increasing in width between the top of the rear wall and the bottom 10 of the rear wall.

Description

RAINWATER PRODUCTS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to products for managing collection and removal of rainwater from a roof of a building.

The invention relates particularly to guttering for a building.

Background of the Invention

Guttering for collecting rainwater from a roof of a building generally comprises an open-top channel located below a perimeter of the roof. Such location of the guttering ensures that rainwater running off the roof is collected in the guttering. The open-top channel is formed with a front wall disposed away from the roof and a rear wall which is mounted to the building, for example via a fascia which, in turn, is attached to an upper edge of the building below the perimeter of the roof. The front and rear walls are joined by a pan and, collectively, form the channel. Drainage openings are formed in the pan to allow rainwater collected in the guttering to escape via downpipes to storm water drains or other water collection or disposal systems. In order to ensure that rainwater runs into the guttering, the guttering is arranged such that the roof extends over the rear wall and into a region above the channel.

The front and rear walls of the guttering extend upwardly from the pan. However, the front wall is higher than the rear wall to conceal the edges of the roof from view for aesthetic reasons. In the event that drainage apertures in the pan become blocked, the channel may fill with rainwater to the extent that rainwater overflows the rear wall and fascia to enter the building.

One attempt to solve this problem is proposed in Australian patent application 65951/98 and patent 735006 granted on the application in the name of BHP Steel (JLA) Pty Ltd ("the JLA disclosure"). In the JLA disclosure the problem is sought to be resolved by providing a spacing means between the fascia and the rear wall of the guttering to define a gap through which in use overflow water flowing over the rear wall flows downwardly through the gap rather than into the building.

Another problem with guttering is that the drainage openings can become blocked by leaf matter and other solid debris, with the result that the guttering overflows. In many situations, when guttering overflows, the rainwater flows into buildings, thereby causing water damage to the buildings.

It would be desirable to provide one or more rainwater overflow products that can substantially overcome or at least ameliorate the above problems.

Summary of the Invention

In one aspect, the invention provides a rainwater guttering for mounting to a fascia to enable collection of rainwater at a perimeter of a roof, the guttering comprising an open-top channel formed by front and rear walls linked by a pan for allowing rainwater to run from the roof into the channel, the rear wall extending to a height above the pan that is less than the height of the front wall and including a spacing element that provides, when the guttering is mounted to the fascia, a gap between the rear wall and the fascia for enabling rainwater to overflow from the guttering and flow downwardly through the gap, wherein the spacing element comprises a plurality of projections, ribs or corrugations that protrude from the rear wall, and wherein the gap provided by the spacing element increases in width between the top of the rear wall and the bottom of the rear wall.

The gap at the top of the rear wall retains relatively large items of debris in the channel. Excess rainwater can flow around the larger items and into the gap. Smaller items of debris are less likely to lodge in the gap, because once the items enter the gap at the top of the rear wall, the remainder of the gap is greater in width and typically is wider than the dimensions of the debris. Accordingly, debris items that flow into the gap will be less susceptible to bridging the distance between the rear wall and the fascia in order to lodge in the gap. Therefore, rainwater overflow from the gutter is thereby substantially unimpeded through the gap.

The gap between the rear wall and the fascia at the top of the rear wall may be approximately 2 mm and at the bottom of the rear wall may be approximately 4 mm.

The spacing element may comprise a series of ribs or corrugations and each rib or corrugation near the top of the rear wall may protrude from the rear wall by a distance that is less than the distance that the rib or corrugation near the bottom of the rear wall protrudes from the rear wall.

The spacing element may comprise a plurality of projections. The projections near the top of the rear wall may protrude from the rear wall by a distance that is less than a distance that projections near the bottom of the rear wall protrude from the rear wall.

The projections may be arranged in groups that are longitudinally spaced apart along the length of the rear wall.

Each group of projections may comprise two or more projections that are spaced apart between the bottom and the top of the rear wall.

The distance between the spaced projections may be substantially equal.

The guttering may be roll-formed from sheet metal.

The metal sheet may be coated with a corrosion resistant material.

However, it will be appreciated that the guttering may be formed with other materials, such as plastics.

In the event that the guttering is formed of sheet metal, the projections or ribs may be formed by plastic deformation of the metal sheet by roll-forming, cold rolling, stamping or embossing.

Preferably the projections, ribs or corrugations do not adversely affect the integrity and mechanical properties of the sheet metal.

Also in accordance with the first aspect the invention provides a fascia for fastening to a building in proximity to a perimeter of a roof and to which guttering can be fastened, the fascia comprising a spacing element that provides, when the guttering is mounted to the fascia over the spacing element, a gap between a rear wall of the guttering and the fascia for enabling rainwater to overflow from the guttering and flow downwardly, wherein the spacing element comprises a plurality of projections, ribs or corrugations that protrude from the fascia, and wherein the spacing element provides a gap that increases in width between the top and the bottom of the guttering.

Preferably, the spacing element comprises projections, ribs or corrugations as described above in respect of guttering in accordance with the invention.

The invention also provides an assembly comprising a guttering mounted to a fascia and wherein the fascia or the guttering is in accordance with the fascia or the guttering described above in accordance with the invention.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a rainwater overflow system for rainwater guttering disposed about the perimeter of a roof, the rainwater guttering having front and rear walls and a pan linking the front and rear walls, the system comprising: (a) two or more spacing elements for disposition between a fascia and the rear wall at spaced locations along the length of a rainwater guttering such that, when in position, a region between adjacent spacing elements comprises a gap between the rear wall and the fascia through which excess rainwater overflowing the rear wall can flow downwardly; and (b) a retaining means for retaining each spacing element in position on the fascia or the guttering for disposition between the rear wall and the fascia when the rainwater guttering is mounted to the fascia.

Also in accordance with the second aspect, the invention provides a spacer assembly for defining a rainwater overflow path between a fascia and a rainwater guttering having front and rear walls and a pan linking the front and rear walls to define a channel for collecting rainwater, the spacer assembly comprising: (a) a spacing element for disposition between a fascia and a rear wall of a rainwater guttering such that, when multiple spacing elements are disposed at spaced locations along the length of the rainwater guttering, a region between adjacent spacing elements comprises a gap between the rear wall and the fascia through which excess rainwater overflowing the rear wall can flow downwardly; and (b) a retaining means associated with the spacing element for retaining the spacing element in position on the fascia or the guttering such that the spacing element is disposed between the rear wall and the fascia when the rainwater guttering is mounted to the fascia.

The rainwater overflow system and the spacer assembly may be formed so that the gap increases in width between the top and the bottom of the guttering.

The rainwater overflow system and the spacer assembly may be readily selected and installed depending on the climate. For example, in regions subject to heavy downpours, such as sub-tropical and tropical areas, the rainwater overflow system and the spacer assembly may be selected to provide a gap that is wider than gap forming members used in temperate regions with less rainfall. Accordingly, the system can be readily adapted to accommodate climate differences by changing the dimensions of the gap forming member.

The retaining means may comprise a screw or other fastener that can be extended through the rear wall of the guttering and the spacing element and into the fascia to retain the spacing element on the fascia.

The retaining means may comprise an arm for engaging the fascia.

The arm may be elastically deformable such that the spacing element is clampable to the fascia via elastic deformation of the arm to engage the fascia.

The retaining means may comprise a clip for mounting the rainwater guttering to the fascia such that the rear wall of the guttering abuts the spacing element and the spacing element in turn abuts the fascia.

The clip may comprise a web and two arms that extend from the web, with one arm being provided for contacting the rear wall of the guttering and the other arm being provided for contacting the fascia to clamp the rear wall, the spacing element and the fascia together.

The arm that is provided for contacting the rear wall of the guttering may comprise a series of formations at spaced intervals along at least a part of the length of the arm for engaging a formation on the rear wall of the guttering to allow height adjustment of the guttering in relation to the fascia.

The formations may be in the form of a series of teeth pressed from the arm.

The clip and the spacing element may be an assembly.

The clip and the spacing element may be manufactured as a one-piece construction.

The clip and the spacing element may be manufactured separately and connected together to form the assembly.

The spacing element may be any form that is attachable to the clip to form the assembly.

The spacing element may be any form that is attachable to the web of the clip to form the assembly.

The spacing element may be in the form of a U-shaped member with a bridge and two legs extending from the bridge.

The ends of the legs may comprise formations that are attachable to the web of the clip to assemble the clip and the spacing element together.

The ends of the legs may comprise formations that are attachable to the web of the clip by being engaged in openings in the clip to assemble the clip and the spacing element together.

The legs may increase in width from the ends of the legs to the bridge thereby to increase the gap between the rear wall and the fascia provided by the spacing member.

The clip may be separate to the retaining means.

The present invention also provides a building that comprises the above-described guttering.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a cross-section of an embodiment of a guttering in accordance with a first aspect of the invention and mounted to a building;

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the guttering in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-section of an embodiment of overflow system in accordance with a second aspect of the invention;

Figure 4 is a cross-section of another embodiment of an overflow system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention;

Figure 5 is a cross-section of another embodiment of an overflow system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention;

Figure 6 is a cross-section of another embodiment of an overflow system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention;

Figure 7 is a front view of the spacing element shown in Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a side view of the spacing element shown in Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a front view of the spacing element shown in Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a side view of the spacing element shown in Figure 6;

Figure 11 is a cross-section of another embodiment of an overflow system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a side view of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 11;

Figure 14 is a top view of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 11;

Figure 15 is a front view of the spacing element of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 11;

Figure 16 is a side view of the spacing element of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 11;

Figure 17 is a rear view of the spacing element of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 11;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a clip/spacer assembly of the type shown in Figure 12;

Figure 19 is a side view of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a top view of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 18;

Figure 21 is a front view of the spacing element of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 18;

Figure 22 is a side view of the spacing element of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 18; and

Figure 23 is a rear view of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 18.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The guttering 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The guttering 10 comprises a front wall 12, a rear wall 14, and a pan 16 linking the front and rear walls 12, 14, thereby forming an open-top channel 11.

In use, the guttering 10 is positioned about the perimeter of the roof 30 at a point where the roof 30 terminates and is fastened to or in proximity to a fascia 20 that is mounted on a fascia board 22 which, in turn, is mounted on a wall 24 of a building.

The guttering 10 also includes one or more apertures (not shown) in the pan 16 for communicating rainwater that collects in the guttering to drainage pipes and, in turn, to stormwater drains or storage tanks, for example.

A roof 30, which may be in any conventional form, such as corrugated iron or tiles, extends over the wall 24, the fascia 20 and the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10. Accordingly, rainwater falling on the roof 30 flows under the influence of gravity downwardly along the incline of the roof 30 and into a channel defined by the front and rear walls 12, 14 and the pan 16 of the guttering 10. In this manner, rainwater is collected in the guttering 10 for transfer to drainage pipes that lead to, for example, stormwater drains or storage tanks.

The guttering 10 includes a spacing element in the form of protrusions 18 or other suitable formation that project outwardly from the surface of the rear wall 14.

The protrusions 18 are arranged in groups that are longitudinally spaced along the length of the rear wall 14. Each group comprises three protrusions 18 at spaced intervals at different heights of the rear wall 14. Although the guttering 10 includes groups that comprise three protrusions 18, it will be appreciated that two or more protrusions 18 may be used in accordance with the invention.

The protrusions 18 in each group project from the surface of the rear wall 14 in incrementally increasing distances, such that the protrusion 18 closest to a top of the rear wall projects from the surface of the rear wall 14 by a distance that is less than the distance that the protrusion 18 near the bottom of the rear wall 14 projects from the surface of the rear wall 14.

This arrangement of protrusions 18 projecting at incrementally increasing distances from the rear wall 14 from the top to the bottom of the rear wall 14 results in providing a tapered gap 40 between the rear wall 14 and the fascia 20 when the guttering 10 is mounted to the fascia 20. The gap 40 at the top of the rear wall is approximately 2 mm wide and at the bottom of the rear wall 14 is approximately 4 mm wide. However, larger and smaller gaps may be adopted.

The gap 40 defines an overflow passage for excess water collected in the guttering 10. The excess rainwater will overflow the rear wall 14, which is at a level that is lower than the level of the front wall 12 and the top of the fascia 20. Accordingly, overflow from the channel 11 will flow into the gap 40. As the top level of the fascia is at a height greater than the level of the rear wall 14, overflowing rainwater flows through the gap 40, rather than flowing across the top of the fascia 20 and the wall 24 and into the building.

Longitudinal spacing of the groups of the protrusions 18 along the length of the rear wall 14 provides a substantially continuous overflow passage along the length of the guttering 10. Accordingly, in the event that debris collects to form a localised blockage in the gap 40, excess rainwater will nevertheless overflow the rear wall 14 and through the gap 40 in regions away from the localised blockage.

The protrusions 18 in each group are spaced apart by equivalent distances, and groups along a length of guttering 10 are generally spaced apart by equivalent distances. The invention is not limited to such an arrangement.

Providing the gap 40 in a tapered form reduces the likelihood that debris will lodge in the gap and potentially form a blockage that would prevent excess rainwater flowing through the gap 40. Specifically, debris that is small enough to fit through the gap 40 at the top of the rear wall will be too small to lodge in the gap 40 at a position downwardly away from the top of the rear wall 14 because the gap widens between the top and bottom of the rear wall 14. For example, items of debris that are small enough to fit through the 2mm gap 40 at the top of the rear wall 14 will generally be too small to simultaneously contact the rear wall 14 and the fascia 20 at other locations within the gap 40 where the gap 40 is wider than at the top of the rear wall 14. Accordingly, there is a reduced likelihood that blockages will occur in the gap 40 and, hence, the guttering 10 provided with protrusions 18 will maintain a substantially blockage free overflow passage for rainwater.

The guttering 10 may be formed by roll-forming metal strip that is coated with a corrosion-resistant medium. The protrusions 18 may be formed in such metal guttering 10 by plastically deforming the rear wall 14, such as by cold forming, cold rolling, stamping or embossing. However, protrusion-forming operations that do not significantly diminish the mechanical properties of the gutting to or that do not puncture the guttering 10 should be adopted.

Alternatively, the guttering 10 may be formed of plastics material and with suitable processes to incorporate protrusions 18.

In another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the spacing element in the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10 comprises ribs or corrugations (not shown) that project from the rear wall 14 by a distance that is greater near the bottom of the rear wall 14 than near the top of the rear wall 14. Accordingly, the ribs or corrugations function in the same manner as described above in respect of the protrusions 18 by providing a gap that increases in width between the top of the rear wall 14 and the bottom of the rear wall 14 when guttering 10 is mounted to the fascia 20.

In another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the gap 40 is provided by forming the fascia 20 with protrusions 18 or ribs or corrugations such that when guttering 10 is mounted to the fascia to register with the protrusions, ribs or corrugations, the rear wall 14 of the guttering is spaced from a generally planer surface of the fascia by a distance that increases between the top of the rear wall and the bottom of the rear wall, thereby providing a tapered gap with the benefits outlined above.

Embodiments of a second aspect of the invention, in general terms, comprise forming a gap between the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10 and the fascia 20 by locating a spacer 130 between them at intervals along the length of the guttering 10. Accordingly, regions between adjacent spacers 130 comprise a gap between the rear wall 14 and the fascia 20 through which excess water collected in the guttering 10 overflow the rear wall 14 and through the gap. In this arrangement, overflow water does not travel into the building. Accordingly, water damage is minimised by providing gap regions between spacers 130.

In the embodiment of the second aspect of the invention shown in Figure 3, with like features being denoted by like reference numerals in each of the embodiments, the spacer 130 is part of a clip 140 that clamps the guttering 10 to the fascia 20 for holding the guttering in position on a building. The clip comprises depending arms 142 and 144 that respectively contact the rear wall 14 and the fascia 20 to clamp the rear wall 14 in abutment against the spacer 130.

The clip 140 is formed by folding a strip of metal so as to require elastic displacement in order to fit the clip 140 in position over the fascia 20 and the rear wall 14. The resilience of the clip 140 to elastic displacement provides the clamping force for retaining the guttering in position.

The clips 140 and the spacers 130 are approximately 2 to 5 cm wide and are disposed at approximately 1 meter intervals along the length of the guttering 10. The invention is not confined to these dimensions.

In another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention as shown in Figure 4, the spacer 130 is separate to the clip 140, but is retained in position by an arm 132 that hooks over the top 122 of the fascia 20. The arm 132 includes a finger 134 that is elastically deformable for clamping the spacer 132 to the fascia. The resilience of the finger 134 to elastic displacement provides the force for clamping the spacer 132 to the fascia 20. A separate clip 140 clamps the rear wall 14 in abutment with the spacer 130 and in turn clamps the space 130 to the fascia 20.

Spacers 130 in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 4 are utilised in the same manner as described in the spacers 130 shown in Figure 3.

In another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention as shown in Figures 5, 7, and 8 there is no clip as in the previous embodiments and the spacer 130 is a separate unit that is retained in position by a screw 170 or other suitable fastener that extends through the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10 and an opening 172 in an upper section of the spacer 130 and into the fascia 120. As can best be seen in Figures 7 and 8, the spacer 130 increases in width from an upper end to a lower end of the spacer, as viewed in the Figures, and thereby results in providing a tapered gap between the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10 and the fascia 20 when the guttering 10 is mounted to the fascia 20. The gap at the top of the rear wall is approximately 2 mm wide and at the bottom of the rear wall 14 is approximately 4 mm wide. However, larger and smaller gaps may be adopted. In addition, the spacer 130 includes a projection 174 that can be received in a corresponding formation 176 in the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10. The projection 174 is provided to assist in locating the spacer 130 in relation to the guttering 10.

In another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention as shown in Figure 6, 9, and 10 there is a clip 140 that retains the spacer 130 in position. Specifically, the spacer 130 is separate to the clip 140, but is retained in position by the clip 140 clamping together the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10, the spacer 130 and the fascia. The spacer 130 is the same basic construction as the spacer 130 shown in Figures 5, 7, and 8, save that it does not include an opening 172. The clip 140 is of the same basic construction as the clips shown in more detail in Figures 11 to 23. The clip 140 comprises a web 180 and two arms 182, 184 that extend from the web 180. The clip 140 is formed from spring steel. Hence, the arms 182, 184 can be displaced elastically outwardly to allow the clip 140 to be positioned in the first instance as shown in Figure 6 and then with the arms 182, 184 in this position exerting a clamping action to hold together the assembly of the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10, the spacer 130, and the fascia 120 as shown in the Figure. In effect, the clip 140 clamps the rear wall 14 in abutment with the spacer 130 and in turn clamps the spacer 130 to the fascia 20. The clip 140 also comprises a series of upwardly inclined projections 186 extending from the arm 184. In this embodiment the projections 186 are in the form of teeth pressed from the spring steel of the clip. The projections 186 are provided to cooperate with the formation 176 in the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10 to allow adjustment of the position of the guttering 10 along the length of the fascia to provide a required fall of the guttering 10.

In another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention as shown in Figures 11 to 17 there is a clip 140 that retains the spacer 130 in position. However, unlike the previously described embodiments of the second aspect, the spacer 130 and the clip 140 are an assembly. Specifically, whilst the two components are manufactured separately, the components are formed to allow the components to be connected together into an assembly to facilitate installation of the guttering 10 to the fascia 120. The basic structure of the clip 140 is as described with reference to Figures 6, 8, and 9. The clip 140 also comprises two openings 188 in the web 180 of the clip 140 that cooperate with formations 192 on the spacer 130 to assemble the two components together. As can best be seen in Figures 15 and 16, the spacer 130 is in the form of a U-shaped member that comprises a bridge 194 and two legs 196 extending from the bridge 194. The ends of the legs 196 have the above-mentioned formations 192 that cooperate with the openings 188 in the clip 140 to enable the two components to be assembled together. More particularly, as can be appreciated from Figure 12, each formation 192 comprises a pair of pins 198 that are elastically deformable inwardly to allow insertion of the pins 198 into the openings 188, with the resilience of the pins 198 causing the pins 198 the pins to engage the web 180 of the clip 140 and hold the assembly together.

In another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention as shown in Figures 18 to 23 the basic components of the embodiment are the same as the components of the embodiment shown in Figures 11 to 17. The only difference between the embodiments is that in the Figures 18 to 23 embodiment the legs 196 increase in width from the ends of the legs to the bridge 194 thereby to provide a tapered gap (rather than a constant gap as shown in Figure 11) between the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10 and the fascia 120 when the guttering 10 is mounted to the fascia 20. As a consequence of this increase in width of the legs 196, the gap at the top of the rear wall 14 of the guttering is approximately 2 mm wide and at the bottom of the rear wall 14 is approximately 4 mm wide. However, larger and smaller gaps may be adopted.

It can readily be appreciated that there is a wide range of situations between the two situations shown in Figures 1 and 2. In particular, it can be appreciated that in a typical situation in which the guttering 10 contains some leaf material or other solid debris 42 and there is a reasonable flow of rainwater in the guttering 10, the barrier member 34 will not prevent water flow into the downpipe 28 and will prevent solid material flowing through the barrier member 34 into and potentially blocking the opening 26.

In all of the above situations, there is considerably reduced risk of the level of collected rainwater overflowing the rear wall 14 into the building.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other country.

Many modifications may be made to the embodiments of the present invention described above with reference to the Figures without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

By way of example, whilst the overflow openings 30 in the embodiment of the fourth aspect of the invention are in the form of slots, the present invention is not so limited and the openings may be any suitable opening or openings.

By way of further example, whilst the opening 26 communicates with the downpipe 28 in the described embodiment, the present invention is not so limited and the opening 26 may be an opening that is not connected to a downpipe or other water outflow system.

It will be understood that the term "comprises" and/or its grammatical variants as used in this specification and claims is equivalent to the term "includes" and its corresponding variants and is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other features or elements.

Claims

CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A rainwater guttering for mounting to a fascia to enable collection of rainwater at a perimeter of a roof, the guttering comprising an open-top channel formed by front and rear walls linked by a pan for allowing rainwater to run from the roof into the channel, the rear wall extending to a height above the pan that is less than the height of the front wall and including a spacing element that provides, when the guttering is mounted to the fascia, a gap between the rear wall and the fascia for enabling rainwater to overflow from the guttering and flow downwardly through the gap, wherein the spacing element comprises a plurality of projections, ribs or corrugations that protrude from the rear wall, and wherein the gap provided by the spacing element increases in width between the top of the rear wall and the bottom of the rear wall.

2. The guttering defined in claim 1 wherein the gap between the rear wall and the fascia at the top of the rear wall is approximately 2 mm and at the bottom of the rear wall may be approximately 4 mm.

3. The guttering defined in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the plurality of projections, ribs or corrugations of the spacing element are formed in the rear wall of the open-top channel, preferably by plastic deformation by roll-forming, cold rolling, stamping or embossing.

4. The guttering defined in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the spacing element comprises a series of ribs or corrugations, wherein each rib or corrugation near the top of the rear wall protrudes from the rear wall by a distance that is less than a distance that each rib or corrugation near the bottom of the rear wall protrudes from the rear wall.

5. The guttering defined in any one of claim 1 to 3 wherein the spacing element comprises a plurality of projections at different heights of the rear wall, with the projections near the top of the rear wall protruding from the rear wall by a distance that is less than a distance that projections near the bottom of the rear wall protrude from the rear wall.

6. The guttering defined in claim 5 wherein the projections are arranged in groups that are longitudinally spaced apart along the length of the rear wall.

7. The guttering defined in claim 6 wherein each group of projections comprises two or more projections spaced apart between the bottom and the top of the rear wall.

8. A fascia for fastening to a building in proximity to a perimeter of a roof and to which guttering can be fastened, the fascia comprising a spacing element that provides, when the guttering is mounted to the fascia over the spacing element, a gap between a rear wall of the guttering and the fascia for enabling rainwater to overflow from the guttering and flow downwardly, wherein the spacing element comprises a plurality of projections, ribs or corrugations that protrude from the fascia, and wherein the spacing element provides a gap that increases in width between the top and the bottom of the rear wall of the guttering.

9. The fascia defined in claim 8 wherein the spacing element comprises a series of ribs or corrugations, wherein each rib or corrugation near a top of a rear wall of the guttering protrudes from the fascia by a distance that is less than a distance that each rib or corrugation near a bottom of a rear wall of the guttering protrudes from the fascia.

10. The fascia defined in claim 8 wherein the spacing element comprises a plurality of projections at different heights of the fascia, with the projections near a top of a rear wall of the guttering protruding from the fascia by a distance that is less than a distance that projections near a bottom of the rear wall protrude from the facia.

11. The fascia defined in claim 10 wherein the projections are arranged in groups that are longitudinally spaced apart along the length of the fascia.

12. The fascia defined in claim 11 wherein each group of projections comprises two or more projections spaced apart between a bottom and a top of the rear wall of the guttering.

13. An assembly comprising the guttering defined in any one of claims 1 to 7 and a fascia mounted to a building in proximity to a perimeter of a roof.

14. An assembly comprising a rainwater guttering and a fascia defined in any one of claims 8 to 12 mounted to a building in proximity to a perimeter of a roof.