The majority of people do not realise the importance gutters have to their homes. Gutters play a huge role and are an integral part of your homes roofing system and are designed to divert the water from your roof into the appropriate drainage system to prevent water entering into your home.
Keeping them clean is a great way to avoid potential costly repairs; blockages are often caused by debris like fallen leaves, moss, and (in some unfortunate cases) dead animals which prevents the gutters diverting the water away from your property which could lead to leaks and dampness to both internal and external areas. If you note that water is running down the side of your house, it’s likely that your gutters are blocked.
Overflowing water from the gutters can cause damage to the brickwork and external decoration of your home and can lead to internal water ingress if not attended to. Leaking gutters are one of the most common causes for isolated dampness in homes across the UK.
Debris which has accumulated in the gutter also absorbs rainwater and becomes extremely heavy. The debris and standing water can cause your gutters to sag which will affect the alignment of your gutters and will cause further water build-up and will cause stress to your gutters and gutter fixings; this could result in the gutter breaking away from its fixings, causing both damage to the gutter and fascia boards.
It is advised to clean your gutters at least once a year to prevent blockages occurring, this should ideally be done at the end of Autumn once the leaves from the trees have fallen; however, it really does depend on the amount of trees and shrubbery surrounding your home.
It’s also a good idea to check your gutters in spring to make sure that any large pieces of debris that have blown in over winter are removed.
Regular gutter maintenance can extend the life expectancy of your gutters and prevent costly repair and replacement.
For any gutter questions or maintenance in London and North London please call our office.
