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How to maintain your gutters

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Mika, Staff Writer

Monday, 8 March 2021

Gutters carry rainwater that falls off the roof, effectively transporting it down the drain. Without guttering, the rainwater would run down the front of the building, seeping into the walls. It would also get into your property’s foundations, eventually causing them to crack. 

Therefore, every property owner should make sure their gutters are in good working order. While it might not seem important compared to other home maintenance jobs, it can save you a lot of time, hassle and money, in the long run, to double-check that your gutters are up to scratch. 

Here are some of the steps you need to take to ensure this is the case. 

Get them cleaned regularly 

When was the last time you had your gutters cleaned? If you can’t remember, or if you haven’t had them done since you moved into the property it’s probably long overdue. 

Gutters can house twigs, leaves, broken roof tiles, moss, insects and even bird’s nests. All of which can block the flow of water, and can even damage the gutter itself depending on the nature and the weight of the blockage.

Ideally, you should have your gutters cleaned at least once a year. If you have any trees near your roof increase this to every six months due to the leaf fall. Installing a leaf guard can also be an excellent idea for such problems.

Repair leaks

You should periodically check that your gutters aren’t leaking by watching how they perform in the rain. Any water that is flowing out where it shouldn’t be will need patching up. This can be done by sealing the gutter, or that particular section of the gutter may need to be replaced. 

Secure them against the wall

There will be brackets every few inches along that secure your gutters to the wall. If these have come loose or have fallen away completely, then you’ll need to get them repaired or replaced. Otherwise, it could put a strain on other sections since the pitch of the gutter may be affected, because its position has moved. 

Repair downspouts

Don’t focus all of your attention on the top sections of your guttering, as your downspouts are the final channel leading to the drain. In some cases, it’s easier to pull sections of downspouts apart to clear blockages. But since you cannot see into downspouts the same as with open gutters, you’ll need to pay extra attention to make sure it’s not the source of the problem. 

Don’t forget about them

It sounds like an obvious point to make, but this is where most homeowners get into trouble. They ignore their gutters for years, to the point where not only are they failing, but they have caused significant damage to the foundations of the property. It can also produce damp and mould inside of the home as the water can leak directly into the walls. 

Don’t let the same fate happen to your property! Schedule a regular gutter clean and inspection. As the old saying goes, 'a stitch in time can save nine’. 

To sum up

Carrying out regular gutter maintenance will benefit the rest of your property, as the water will flow where it’s supposed to, instead of into your wall or foundations. Contact a gutter maintenance or repair contractor at the first instance should your gutters need some TLC, since it’s a specialist job. 

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