Gutters – Prevention through Maintenance

Gutters – Prevention through Maintenance

Lots of common issues you see on homes such as eaves deteriorating and paint peeling, gutters rusting out and overflowing can all be prevented with general gutter maintenance.

The first step in gutter maintenance is to inspect them regularly, especially after heavy rain or strong winds and prior to the onset of the rainy season.  Of course this is winter in Western Australia where we are, but not necessarily the case if you are elsewhere in the world. Look for any signs of clogging, sagging, or damage.

In this video Andrew explains why gutters behave the way they do, and why we need to maintain them to prevent damage to our homes.

We all know we should clear out our gutters, so now you know why you should be regularly clearing both the valley and gutters of leaves, plant material, tennis balls or any other debris that has made its way up there.

If you have an area  of gutter that is regularly overflowing in a heavy downpour, you may need to install a pop spout.  This acts as a relief valve to help excess water escape quickly in times of heavy rain fall. A pop spouts can be added to a gutters just over half way up and will work as an outlet valve to help relieve the water build up in a heavy downpour.  This in turn will alleviate the resultant water damage that can occur if this water finds its way back in your home. They are best positioned over a garden or soil area to allow for normal drainage after the rain.

By following these simple tips for gutter maintenance, you can protect your home from water damage, prolong the life of your gutters and prevent further issues.

Are you concerned about the corners of your eaves showing signs of damp?  Perhaps water is ponding in these areas.  There is more detail in this post about water stagnating in gutters or ponding in corners.

Contact the team at ProConsult Building Inspections Today.

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