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Glossary of Common Rain Gutter Terminology

90 degree Elbow

This is a fitting device which is bent in such a way to produce 90 degree change in the direction of flow of the content in the pipe.

Auto-Fill Kit

An apparatus used to add liquid to a tank using an automated on/off switch. The Bushman Auto-Fill Kit is adjustable when determining tank liquid level. 

Baffles

A reinforcing structure molded into a Bushman Slim Line Tank to help restrain the outward force of the liquid against the tank wall. 

Ball Valve

A manual valve controlling flow by means of a ball pierced with an opening in one direction and fixed to rotate on a spindle at right angles to the opening. The valve is controlled manually by rotating a handle to regulate the flow. 

Bioswale

A landscape elements designed to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water. They consist of a swaled drainage area with gently sloped sides (less than six percent) and filled with vegetation and varying levels organic materials consisting of differing densities to capture and filter possible pollutants while allowing the water to permeate into the ground. 

Brass Fittings

A female connection with NPT threads, made of brass designed to pass a connection through the sealed wall of a vessel. Bushman Brass Fittings are molded into the tank for a permanent installation. 

Bulkhead Fitting

A threaded female connection opening made of plastic or brass designed to pass a connection through the sealed wall of a vessel. The fitting is used to move water in or out of a Bushman tank. 

Capacity

The maximum amount of liquid that can be contained in a tank before it exits the overflow or inlet opening. 

Catch Valve

A device for automatically limiting flow in a piping system to a single direction. 

Catchment Rule

For every inch of precipitation on 1,000 square feet of surface area, approximately 600 gallons of rainwater can be collected

Connection Kit

Please see First Flush Kit. 

Crushed Rock

Rock that is mechanically broken into small pieces then sorted by filtering through different size mesh. The non-uniform shape locks the rocks in place and provides an excellent base for tank placement.

Daisy Chain

The connection of multiple tanks via a fitting & hose that creates a transference point for liquid to move from one tank to another by gravity pressure.

Debris Separator

The first stage of the a First Flush Kit, the top of the diverter is constructed with a 45 degree screen that allows rainwater to enter, but leaves and twigs to slide off.

Downpipe/Downspout

Pipe to carry roof water from gutters and roof catchments to drains, storage tanks, or splashblocks.

Downspout

A downspout is a vertical pipe for carrying rainwater from a rain gutter downward.

Drainage

A system of gutters and drainpipes that carry water away from the foundation of a house.

Drop Outlet

Formed piece that serves as the hole from which the water travels from the horizontal section of the gutter to the downspout.

Dry Inflow

A system where the inflow pipework stays above the tank inlet allowing rainwater to drain completely into the tank.

Eaves Gutter

A roof gutter attached at an eaves overhang.

Elbow

Pre-finished angled piece for directing water flow.

End Cap

Flat formed piece that is placed at the end of a gutter section.

Expansion Joint

A joint in a long run of cladding, gutter or flashing designed to allow for thermal expansion and contraction.

Fascia

A flat board that runs horizontally along the eaves of a roof, typically capping the ends of the roof rafters to give the roof edge a more finished look and provide a base for attaching gutters.

Fill Pipe

Pipe used to direct liquid into a tank.

First Flush

The initial runoff from a catchment surface (roof) following the start of a rainfall event which contains higher loads of microbiological contaminants suspended solids.

First Flush Brackets

Metal brackets/clamps used to secure the First Flush Kit to a structure. The Bushman Pipe Clamps are powder coated for durability.

First Flush Filter

A removable filter assembly attached to the bottom of the Bushman First Flush Kit. The dual screen filters keep solids from clogging the drip valve located at the bottom of the assembly.

First Flush Kit

A system or device designed to reduce microbiological and suspended solid concentration levels by capturing and diverting the first portion of rain from the downspout following the start of a rainfall event and will automatically reset between such events.

Gravity Drip

A method of supplying water to an irrigation drip system using the weight of the water. The greater the distance between the water level and the drip emitters, the higher the pressure will be.

Gutters

Horizontal channels installed at the edge of a roof to carry rainwater or melted snow away from the house.

Hanger

Flat strap that is installed under the roofing matierial and hold up the horizontal section of the gutter.

Hose Thread

National Standard Thread (NST), also known as National Hose thread (NH). The most common type of hose coupling used in the USA. The male and female straight (non-tapered) threads screw together and the connection is sealed with a gasket. Used on 1/2″, 3/4″ and 1″ Garden Hoses

Inside Mitre Box

A corner piece of the horizontal section that is deflected in.

Leader

A pipe that carries rainwater from the gutters to the ground, sewers, or wells.

Low Profile

Low profile tanks are generally shorter in height and may meet Home Owners Associations guidelines of “nothing taller than 5 feet in height”. Low Profile tanks are also used under decks with height restrictions

Mesh

Mesh is the number of openings in a square inch of screen or sieve. It is equal to the square of the number of strands of metal or plastic screening per lineal inch. Bushman uses 20 x 20 Stainless Steel Mesh.

NPT Thread

Abbreviation for National Pipe Taper. A measurement of threads per inch on threaded pipe. The taper on NPT threads allows them to form a seal when torqued as the flanks of the threads compress against each other, as opposed to straight thread fittings or compression fittings in which the threads merely hold the pieces together and do not provide the seal. However a clearance remains between the crests and roots of the threads, resulting in a leakage around this spiral. This means that NPT fittings must be made leak free with the aid of thread seal tape or a thread sealant compound. (The use of tape or sealant will also help to limit corrosion on the threads, which can make future disassembly nearly impossible

Outlet Hose

Hose used to direct liquid out of a tank.

Outlet Pipe

Pipe used to direct liquid out of a tank.

Outside Mitre Box

A corner piece of the horizontal section that is deflected out.

Overflow

An opening located near the top of a tank that allows excess water to escape the tank when full. A Bushman Overflow is molded with Stainless Steel Mesh (20×20) across the opening to prevent mosquitoes from infesting the tank.

Pitch

The angle at which a horizontal section of gutter is tilted in order to force water to flow toward a downspout.

Plug

A threaded plug made of plastic or metal used to restrain liquid from existing through a bulkhead or brass fitting.

Primer Paint

Primer is a paint product that allows finishing paint to adhere much better than if it were used alone. For this purpose, primer is designed to adhere to surfaces and to form a binding layer that is better prepared to receive the paint

Pump

A device used to move fluids. A pump displaces a volume by physical or mechanical action

Reducer Fitting

A fitting that connect two different pipe diameters. Generally made of plastic or metal. Example: from a 3″ pipe to a 4″ pipe.

Roof Washer

Please see First Flush Kit.

Run

Length of a horizontal section of gutter.

Slim Line

Tanks constructed with a narrow foot print that allow for installation where traditional round tanks may not fit or for aesthetic reasons.

Spigot

A manually open/closed valve made of Brass or Plastic valve used to regulate liquid extraction.

Splashblock

Plastic or concrete surface put under a downspout to direct water away from the house

Strainer Basket

A screened basket fitted to the top of a tank to keep mosquitoes and debris from entering the tank. Bushman Strainer Basket comes with a protective cover with two 4″ or 3″ openings to accept the inlet pipe.

Strap

Flat hangers that are nailed into the house to hold the downspouts in place.

U.S. Gallon

Gallon is equal to 3.785 liters, is 231 Cubic Inches, weighs approximately 8.33 pounds at 62 degree F

UV Stablization

The primary function is to protect the substance from the long-term degradation effects from light, most frequently ultraviolet light. Different UV stabilizers are utilized depending upon the substrate, intended functional life, and sensitivity to UV degradation.

Wet System

A system where the inflow pipework drops below the level of the tank inlet for some of its course allowing rainwater to move from a downspout, through piping to a storage tank located away from the structure. Gravity pressure alone pushes the rainwater from the downspout to the remote tank. Generally, the top of the inlet opening must be 18″ to 24″s higher than the tank fill pipe. (consult with a rainwater/irrigation professional for fluid dynamic restrictions)