If you’re wondering how rain water systems came to be in the first place, then you’ve come to the right place. We are the gutter experts for a reason, we know our history! Take yourself back to your 7th grade history class when you were first introduced to the Harappan civilization, which resided in what is now Pakistan, used water-borne toilets linked by drains that were covered with bricks of burnt clay. This is the earliest form of gutter on record. These civilizations started draining water using a system made of stone, brick, and wood. The main objective of these ancient rain water systems was to move water from one location to another. 27 AD was the beginning of the Roman Empire. The first to use drainage systems to drain water away from streets were the Romans.The Romans revolutionized road-building by “crowning” them in the middle so that mud and water ran downhill, away from the center, into channels, which carried the sludge away. Also, other ancient civilizations used water spouts perched on roofs to drain water to the ground. Amazing, isn’t it? By 47 AD the Romans are bringing gutters to Britain. The British probably would have preferred that they had brought wine instead. (How rude.) This system evolved into the Gargoyle system, similar to what we use now, called roof scuppers. This system was used during the Middle Ages. Since many European monarchs were building large structures such as cathedrals and palaces, architects had water spouts in the form of gargoyles constructed to redirect rainwater away from buildings.
Over the next 1000 years, not much changed with the development of roof-water management systems until the Norman invasion in 1066. As a result of this invasion, churches, residences, and other structures are rebuilt with stone roofs and parapets. This leads to gutters that terminate in the mouths of gargoyles, which “spit” the water clear of the building. Built in 1240, the Tower of London was the first known structure to have this type of rain-water system. It was also the first to have downspouts. This method was used to protect the bridge’s white walls, and the new drainage system became very popular. By the end of the Middle Ages (1300-1500s), local authorities in British communities with cramped conditions preside over numerous “gutter disputes.” By the mid 1500s, there was dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII (no, not with water). The closing of the monasteries, convents, friaries, and priories led to a surplus of recycled lead. The result is a spike in the market for decorative cisterns, hopper heads, rain-water channels, and other rainwater goods. By the 16th century, a lot of new designs were incorporated into roof-water management systems, with a major one being that lead channels started to be replaced by iron. This quickly became the number one material used to make roof-water management systems due to the fact that it was easy to find and inexpensive. In fact, in those days, houses were sold with built-in gutter systems that were designed to complement the architectural style of the buildings.
Although rain water systems made from simple metals were being used by the 1700s, they were not mass-marketed until after the Industrial Revolution, due to the spike in factories, machinery, and labor. Thanks to the technological advancements made during the early- to mid-20th century, water drainage systems started being produced in a wide array of materials, like copper, aluminum, galvanized steel, and plastic. All these materials are still used today.