Gutters and Downpipes

Gutters and Downpipes

Gutters and downpipes can become damaged due to age or weather wear. Should your gutter or downpipe get a leak, your home is at risk of severe water damage. Damaged bricks and rotted windows are just the start of the problem; bigger issues, such as dampness, can arise and lead to damage throughout the home and costly repairs.

It is important to be concerned with gutter and downpipe health because rotted windows and damp can create the need for extra heating usage - raising your heating costs and diminishing your home's energy efficiency.

Here are some common problems that can lead to gutter and downpipe damage

Blocks

When leaves and other debris gather up in the gutter, they can prevent water from travelling along smoothly. This leads to areas of strain and overflow. Areas filled with debris can also become very heavy, putting a strain on the gutter's structure and leading to other problems such as cracks and sagging.

Cleaning blocked gutters is a relatively simple task. After securing your ladder with all the necessary safety precautions, use a small brush or gloved hand to remove the gutter debris and place it in a bucket or bag. Although you are likely to find nothing but leaves, there is the possibility of other, not so pleasant, items clogging your gutters. Be prepared for the worst and go slowly so that you are not startled in the rare event that a birds nest, dead animal, or insect hive is the culprit of your clog.

Blocked downpipes are a little more difficult to unclog and require the use of a fairly strong flow of water to push the debris out. Starting at the top of the down pipe, direct your hose downwards and be prepared to clean up whatever comes from the opposite end.

To prevent future downpipe clogs, you can fix a piece of gauze or chicken wire over the outlet.

Holes and Cracks

Holes and cracks in your drain or downpipe can result from extreme changes in the temperature, strain from heavy debris, or simple aging. You should expect that at some point in your home's life you will experience a leaky gutter. Luckily, the problem is not difficult to fix.

Catching problems like holes and cracks early has a definite benefit - these problems are easy to fix when they are small. If your gutter or down pipe is plastic you will require a plastic sealing compound, which should be applied according to the product's specific directions. If, on the other hand, you're working with cast-iron, use a metal putty or fibreglass. In both cases there are products on the market that are designed for simple and quick application.

Leaking Joints

Leaking joints are usually the result of aging gutters and downpipes, although heavy debris can create the problem by creating sagging areas that strain the joint connections. Another culprit is when dirt becomes lodged underneath the rubber seal.

In any of these circumstances the trick is to identify the problem early, which not only makes fixing the gutter easier, it also ensures that secondary problems will not arise. Depending on your specific gutter, you may either have to buy new seals or entire replacement joints.

With either case, you must first clean the gutter of any debris, then unclip it. Next clean under the gutter's seal and then replace either the seal or joint as required.

Sagging

A sagging gutter can be the result of heavy debris or aging, and this problem must be caught early as it can result in the creation of holes and leaking joints. When your gutter sags the water will pool in one area or flow in the wrong direction, away from the downpipe. Depending on the severity of the problem you will have to move the brackets, purchase extra brackets, or in severe cases, replace the gutter.

By maintaining the health of your gutters and downpipes you will reduce the chances of dampness occurring inside your home. This is a major step to ensuring that your home is as energy efficient as possible - which means lower heating costs and more money in your pocket.

Here are some other ways British Gas can help you save:

Save on Gas and Electricity costs with British Gas. Learn More.

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