We’re getting into colder months now, and that means that we should be expecting some pretty bad weather. Heavy downpours, snow and freezing isn’t good for any of us, and it certainly isn’t good for our homes. Your roof is the forefront of your home’s defence against poor weather conditions, and it essentially a protective layer, so this can take quite a belting during heavy rainfall and snow. This of course is closely followed by guttering. Everything that runs off your roof, then goes into the gutter, and so it’s no surprise that gutters can face some pretty bad damage when there’s a lot of rain.
How to prevent the risk of damage
The purpose of gutters is basically to direct water away from your home, so that it doesn’t cause damage to your roof, walls, windows, doors or any other part of the building, and most importantly, doesn’t get inside. Therefore, they are quite important, and making sure they’re working properly and not faced with any damage is key.
Because of this, it’s very important to look out for faults and damage so that you can have it repaired straight away. As soon as you notice anything unusual, we urge you to contact a professional, as they can advise you on what needs to be fixed or if you need a new gutter, before the problem turns into something bigger.
How do I know my gutter needs replacing?
Damage to your gutter can be quite obvious visually, however it’s not always so clear straight away. One of the first things to look for, is cracks to the guttering. This is a problem, as it means not all of the water will remain flowing through the gutter and instead it can seep through these gaps. Furthermore, though these cracks may seem small at first, they can lead to much bigger issues if not repaired soon. For example, the cracks may become bigger, and it can also lead to damage of your fascia boards.
Another very noticeable sign, is if the gutter begins to lean away from the building. So, rather than being attached to the wall, it pulls much further outwards. This is caused when there is too much weight somewhere in the gutter, which is generally a sign of too much water. For water to build up like that, it usually indicates a blockage somewhere, meaning the water can’t pass through and instead is gathering.
Pools of water also indicate a failure in your gutter. Whether this is somewhere in the gutter or just around it – it shows that the water isn’t passing through properly and perhaps it is being blocked somewhere. Furthermore, if during a heavy downpour, water is coming out of the sides of your gutter and overflowing, this shows that the gutter is misaligned of blocked somewhere.
Is it easily repaired?
Yes. all you have to do when you notice any damage to your gutter, is contact a professional. They will then come out and assess the situation, and then take the correct actions accordingly. Whether it’s a quick fix or your gutter needs completely replacing, you will be advised on the best solution and receive the help you need to get you back with a fully functioning and safe gutter.
If you’d like to know more about guttering or have any roof enquiries, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via our contact page and we will be more than happy to help.
