As the leaves turn from lush green to glorious russet, watching them cascade from the trees fills most of us with autumnal delight. However, falling leaves can mean a lot of work for homeowners. It is important that you clear your gutters during the autumn months to prevent a build up of debris. We take a look at gutter clearing tips and some simple gutter maintenance that you can do while you are up there.
Guttering collects rainwater from the roof and channels it to drain safely away. Failure to do this could result in leaks and damp issues in your home. Before you start, make sure that you have the appropriate equipment to work at heights. If you don’t have a safe ladder and someone to hold the ladder for you, you might consider employing a handyman or gardener who is confident and has the appropriate skills and equipment to undertake work at height.
If you decide that you are confident to proceed, check your guttering and hoppers to make sure that they are clear of leaves and debris. If you want to make sure that they are completely clear, you can try pouring water into the guttering to make sure that it runs straight through.
While you are up there, check the condition of your guttering. Regardless of whether they are sealed with sealant or a rubber gasket, gutter joints will wear away over time. If undetected, this will cause your guttering to leak, which could result in damp issues.
To repair a damaged gutter joint, wait for a dry day and follow these simple steps:
- Unclip the lengths of gutter from either side of the existing joint clip. This will allow you to see clearly see the interior and exterior profiles of the joint.
- Clear out the joint, remove any dirt or grime, and make sure that it is clean and dry.
- Apply a layer of silicone sealant around the edges of the gutter.
- Replace the adjoining lengths of gutter and fix the clips firmly back into place.
- Wipe away any excess sealant.
If your guttering is still leaking, it is a good idea to check the gradient of the gutter. Guttering needs a slope to allow the water to pour downwards; if the gutter and downpipes are free of debris, the most likely cause of standing water is that there isn’t enough of a slope. If this is the case, you might want to contact a local guttering specialist to help to make sure that your gutters are in good working order.
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