Clogged gutters
Gutters play important functions on the roof. They are responsible for the efficient drainage of rainwater from the roof, protection of the facade and walls against water. Therefore, regardless of whether you are the owner of a large or small house – you should look at the roof and check what the gutters look like on your home.
Houses located near trees are the most vulnerable to clogging of gutters and downspouts. During use, the gutter becomes contaminated with sediments flowing from the roof, leaves, insects and other things brought on by the wind.
Clean and unblocked gutters eliminate rainwater dripping down the facade, and thus the formation of stains on the walls. If we neglect to clean the gutters inside the house, dampness may appear.
How often should the gutters be cleaned?
At least twice a year, it is worth checking and cleaning the gutters of litter. Before winter and in the spring. And if necessary – more often.
Most leaves are collected and sent to the gutters in autumn, which is why it is worth remembering to clean the gutters during this period. Ideally, you should take care of this before snowfall, which may make it difficult or impossible to carry out the work. If the gutters are not cleared before winter, especially in the winter accompanied by snowfall and low temperatures, the gutters may become unsealed in the first year of the building’s operation.
Should only old gutters be cleaned?
Cleaning gutters and downspouts is not only important with old gutters. Clogged modern systems are just as inefficient as those of many years ago.
how to clean the gutters?
The gutters can be cleaned with an ordinary brush with a short handle, there are also special brushes for cleaning gutters with a telescopic handle, which will make our work easier. On the other hand, the drain pipes can be cleaned by forcing water into them from a garden hose, from the side of the rifles.
The most effective way to remove contaminants that block and weigh down the gutters is to use a pressure washer or a garden hose. In this way, we will also check whether the downspouts are clear. If they become clogged with leaves and other debris, stuffing is necessary, even if some parts need to be dismantled temporarily.
Not only clean but also repair …
When we notice water leaks in gutters and downpipes, it is a sign that some element is broken and needs to be replaced. You can use a self-adhesive bituminous, rubber or silicone tape, or use roofing sealant in the places where the gutters and downspouts connect. Such repairs can only be made for metal gutters.
Sometimes damaged parts have to be replaced with new ones. We can repair small damaged parts ourselves – just remove the broken sections from the clamps and insert new ones. We will also be able to tighten or bend the hooks that support the gutters and clamps for downspouts.
Unfortunately, when most of the gutter system is damaged, the entire roof drainage system should be replaced. The possibility of self-repair depends on the way of assembling the entire drainage system. In the case of a gutter system connected with gaskets, we can easily disassemble damaged elements and insert new parts. When individual parts of the system are permanently connected – soldered or glued, it is necessary to have appropriate knowledge in the field of roofing and appropriate tools to seal the damaged galvanized steel gutters by soldering or replace with new elements.
Replacing the entire gutter with the connecting fittings is usually a complicated task because it often involves the need to disassemble a part of the roofing adjacent to the damaged gutter. This is already a task for experienced roofers.
and paint … to protect against rust
When we discover scratched places on steel gutters, we should paint them to prevent corrosion. Mortar paints will protect the system against rust. It is best to paint all the gutter elements – then there will be no visible difference in color and the old, faded gutters will gain a new face.
Gutter filter – instead of cleaning?
You can prevent clogging of the gutters – by using gutter filters. Filters allow water to flow but trap contaminants before they block the gutter and cause costly damage. They prevent clogging of the gutter by leaves, moss, twigs and other debris. Instead of wasting a lot of time cleaning the gutters – we can prevent them from clogging.
