Why Is Cleaning Gutters Essential at this Time of Year?
Your roof not only protects you and your family, it also protects the rest of your home from damage, and a vital part of that protection is provided by the gutters. However, just as you need to monitor the tiles, flashing and other parts of the roof to see if they need repair, regularly gutter maintenance is also vital. And this time of the year, cleaning guttering is likely to be more urgent than ever.
What Do Your Gutters Do?
Your guttering system, consisting of the gutters and down pipes, is there to ensure that the water that runs off your roof is channelled safely down into the drains. All roofs, even flat ones, have a slope that allows run-off, preventing of the water pooling and breaking the roof under its weight.
As we’ll see, though, water running indiscriminately off your roof could cause problems to the structure of your home. The guttering system ensures that any normal amount of rain goes where it needs to.
What Damage Can Cleaning Gutters Prevent?
Gutter maintenance can be needed at any time of year, but late autumn is perhaps the most crucial time. This is because leaves and twigs get blown by the wind and can easily clog up your gutters. In addition, they take a battering from autumn storms and may crack or come away from the roof.
If the water running off the roof doesn’t get channelled down the pipes, because the gutters are either clogged or cracked, it will run down the walls instead. This can seep into the brickwork and degrade the mortar, or even go right through the walls and cause damp inside.
The water will also tend to pool on the ground at the base of the building. From here it could seep into the foundations and weaken them, potentially causing a good deal of structural damage.
How to Go About Cleaning Gutters?
The most obvious signs that cleaning gutters is required are damp streaks on the external walls or water pooling on the ground. However, if it’s not so obvious, it will need to be inspected up close. If you’re going to be using a ladder, remember to ensure that it’s secure, and that any tools you’re carrying are tethered.
If you’re an expert DIYer and feel confident working at heights, you may wish to clean or repair your gutters yourself. Repairing cracks or loose guttering may involve replacing damaged sections or screwing the guttering back into place. Cleaning can be done with a brush or scoop, following by flushing out with a hose.
However, cleaning gutters is a long and tedious job, if you’re not used to it. If you’d rather leave it to the professionals, give us a call.
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