Drainage vs. Gutter: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss & Janet White || Updated on May 20, 2024
Drainage refers to the system or process of removing excess water, while a gutter is a specific channel or conduit designed to direct water away from structures like roofs and streets.
Key Differences
Drainage is a broad term encompassing the methods and systems used to manage and remove excess water from an area. It includes natural and man-made systems such as ditches, drains, and sewers, ensuring that water flows away from where it could cause harm or inconvenience. A gutter, on the other hand, is a specific component of a drainage system. It is a narrow channel, typically installed along the edge of a roof or along streets, designed to collect and direct rainwater away from buildings and toward downspouts or drainage systems.
While drainage refers to the overall process and infrastructure for water management, gutters are specific structures within that system. Drainage can include a variety of systems like surface drainage and subsurface drainage, whereas gutters are primarily used for channeling roof runoff.
Drainage systems are crucial for preventing water accumulation that can lead to flooding, erosion, and water damage. Gutters play a crucial role in protecting buildings by channeling water away from roofs and foundations, preventing leaks and structural damage.
In everyday use, drainage might refer to broader water management issues in an area, while gutters are specifically discussed in the context of building maintenance and roof water management.
Both terms are essential in water management but operate at different levels of the infrastructure, with drainage being a comprehensive concept and gutters being a vital component.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
System/process for removing excess water
Channel for directing roof/street water
Scope
Broad, including natural and man-made systems
Specific component of a drainage system
Common Uses
Agriculture, urban planning, flood prevention
Building maintenance, roof water management
Components
Drains, ditches, sewers, pipes
Roof gutters, street gutters, downspouts
Function
Prevents water accumulation and flooding
Directs water away from structures
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Drainage and Gutter Definitions
Drainage
The system or process of removing excess water from an area.
Proper drainage prevents water from pooling in the backyard.
Gutter
Part of a drainage system specifically for collecting roof runoff.
The rainwater flows from the gutter into the downspout.
Drainage
The natural or artificial removal of surface and subsurface water.
The drainage system includes a network of pipes and ditches.
Gutter
A channel at the edge of a street or road for carrying off surface water.
Drainage
Techniques used in agriculture to prevent waterlogging.
Good drainage is essential for healthy crop growth.
Gutter
A trough fixed under or along the eaves for draining rainwater from a roof. Also called regionally eaves trough, rainspout, spouting.
Drainage
The means of disposing wastewater.
Efficient drainage ensures that wastewater is properly treated.
Gutter
A furrow or groove formed by running water.
Drainage
The action or a method of draining.
Gutter
A trough or channel for carrying something off, such as that on either side of a bowling alley or that almost level with the water in some swimming pools.
Drainage
A system of drains.
Gutter
(Printing) The white space formed by the inner margins of two facing pages, as of a book.
Drainage
Something that is drained off.
Gutter
A degraded and squalid class or state of human existence.
Drainage
(Medicine) The removal of fluid or purulent material from a wound or body cavity.
Gutter
To form gutters or furrows in
Heavy rain guttered the hillside.
Drainage
A natural or artificial means for the removal of fluids from a given area by its draining away.
Gutter
To provide with gutters.
Drainage
A system of drains.
Gutter
To flow in channels or rivulets
Rainwater guttered along the curb.
Drainage
A downward wind.
Gutter
To melt away through the side of the hollow formed by a burning wick. Used of a candle.
Drainage
A draining; a gradual flowing off of any liquid; also, that which flows out of a drain.
Gutter
To burn low and unsteadily; flicker
The flame guttered in the lamp.
Drainage
The mode in which the waters of a country pass off by its streams and rivers.
Gutter
Vulgar, sordid, or unprincipled
Gutter language.
The gutter press.
Drainage
The system of drains and their operation, by which superfluous water is removed from towns, railway beds, mines, and other works.
Gutter
A prepared channel in a surface, especially at the side of a road adjacent to a curb, intended for the drainage of water.
Drainage
Area or district drained; as, the drainage of the Po, the Thames, etc.
Gutter
A ditch along the side of a road.
Drainage
The act, process, or means of drawing off the pus or fluids from a wound, abscess, etc.
Gutter
A duct or channel beneath the eaves of a building to carry rain water; eavestrough.
The gutters must be cleared of leaves a few times a year.
Drainage
Emptying accomplished by draining
Gutter
(bowling) A groove down the sides of a bowling lane.
You can decide to use the bumpers to avoid the ball going down the gutter every time.
Drainage
Urban planning strategies to manage stormwater runoff.
City planners focus on improving drainage to reduce flood risk.
Gutter
A large groove (commonly behind animals) in a barn used for the collection and removal of animal excrement.
Gutter
Any narrow channel or groove, such as one formed by erosion in the vent of a gun from repeated firing.
Gutter
(typography) A space between printed columns of text.
Gutter
(printing) One of a number of pieces of wood or metal, grooved in the centre, used to separate the pages of type in a form.
Gutter
(philately) An unprinted space between rows of stamps.
Gutter
(British) A drainage channel.
Gutter
The notional locus of things, acts, or events which are distasteful, ill bred or morally questionable.
Gutter
(figuratively) A low, vulgar state.
Get your mind out of the gutter.
What kind of gutter language is that? I ought to wash your mouth out with soap.
Gutter
(comics) The spaces between comic book panels.
Gutter
One who or that which guts.
Gutter
To flow or stream; to form gutters.
Gutter
(of a candle) To melt away by having the molten wax run down along the side of the candle.
Gutter
(of a small flame) To flicker as if about to be extinguished.
Gutter
(transitive) To send (a bowling ball) into the gutter, not hitting any pins.
Gutter
(transitive) To supply with a gutter or gutters.
Gutter
(transitive) To cut or form into small longitudinal hollows; to channel.
Gutter
A channel at the eaves of a roof for conveying away the rain; an eaves channel; an eaves trough.
Gutter
A small channel at the roadside or elsewhere, to lead off surface water.
Gutters running with ale.
Gutter
Any narrow channel or groove; as, a gutter formed by erosion in the vent of a gun from repeated firing.
Gutter
Either of two sunken channels at either side of the bowling alley, leading directly to the sunken pit behind the pins. Balls not thrown accurately at the pins will drop into such a channel bypassing the pins, and resulting in a score of zero for that bowl.
Gutter
To cut or form into small longitudinal hollows; to channel.
Gutter
To supply with a gutter or gutters.
Gutter
To become channeled, as a candle when the flame flares in the wind.
Gutter
A channel along the eaves or on the roof; collects and carries away rainwater
Gutter
Misfortune resulting in lost effort or money;
His career was in the gutter
All that work went down the sewer
Pensions are in the toilet
Gutter
A worker who guts things (fish or buildings or cars etc.)
Gutter
A tool for gutting fish
Gutter
Burn unsteadily, feebly, or low; flicker;
The cooling lava continued to gutter toward lower ground
Gutter
Flow in small streams;
Tears guttered down her face
Gutter
Wear or cut gutters into;
The heavy rain guttered the soil
Gutter
Provide with gutters;
Gutter the buildings
Gutter
A channel attached to the edge of a roof to direct rainwater away.
The gutters need cleaning to prevent water damage to the house.
Gutter
A shallow channel along a street for carrying off rainwater.
Street gutters help keep the roads from flooding.
Gutter
An essential element in protecting building foundations.
Well-maintained gutters prevent basement flooding.
Gutter
The edge of a bowling alley lane.
The ball fell into the gutter, resulting in a gutter ball.
FAQs
Why are gutters important?
Gutters channel water away from buildings, protecting roofs and foundations from water damage.
What is a gutter?
A gutter is a channel for directing water from roofs or streets to drainage systems.
Can drainage include gutters?
Yes, gutters are part of the overall drainage system.
What types of drainage systems exist?
Surface drainage, subsurface drainage, and stormwater management systems.
What is drainage?
Drainage is the system or process of removing excess water from an area.
Why is drainage important?
Drainage prevents water accumulation, reduces flooding risk, and protects structures and land from water damage.
How do gutters protect foundations?
Gutters direct water away from the foundation, preventing seepage and damage.
How are drainage and gutter related?
Gutters are components of a broader drainage system, specifically for managing roof and street water.
How often should gutters be cleaned?
Gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year, in the spring and fall.
What happens if drainage is poor?
Poor drainage can lead to flooding, waterlogging, erosion, and structural damage.
What is subsurface drainage?
Subsurface drainage involves underground pipes to remove water from soil.
What materials are gutters made from?
Gutters can be made from aluminum, vinyl, steel, copper, or zinc.
Do gutters help in preventing soil erosion?
Yes, by directing water away from the base of a structure, they help prevent soil erosion.
What are downspouts?
Downspouts are pipes that carry water from gutters to the ground or drainage system.
Can clogged gutters cause roof damage?
Yes, clogged gutters can cause water to overflow and damage the roof and fascia.
Can drainage systems be natural?
Yes, natural drainage systems include rivers, streams, and wetlands.
What is surface drainage?
Surface drainage involves directing water over the land's surface to drains or natural water bodies.
How does urban planning use drainage systems?
Urban planning incorporates drainage systems to manage stormwater and prevent flooding.
What is the main purpose of gutters on houses?
The main purpose of gutters on houses is to protect the structure by directing rainwater away from the roof and foundation.
Are there alternative methods to gutters for roof drainage?
Yes, alternatives include rain chains and drip edges.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
