Helping to direct the flow of water away from your home, keep your roof watertight and prevent leaks from seeping in through your walls – your guttering is an integral part of your home’s structure. However, like AXA insurance says: “Despite their importance, though, it can be all too easy to forget about them until something goes wrong”. If something does go wrong, it can create serious home maintenance problems both in the short and long term. This makes looking after your gutters an essential part of looking after your home. If you’re still not convinced, keep reading to find out more.
Blocked gutters
If you don’t clean your gutters out on a regular basis, they’ll soon become clogged up with fallen leaves, moss, and other debris. This can impede the flow of water through the gutter, causing it to back up and overflow onto your property. If this continues for a long period of time, the water will begin to damage your home. It could cause damp patches to appear in your interior, encourage the growth of mould and lead to wooden beams, cornicing, and other features becoming rotten.
Leaking joints
Another common problem with gutters is leaking joints. If the gutters are old, or if they’ve been exposed to especially violent elements, the joints could begin to leak, causing water to run onto your roof and walls and potentially causing you problems. Sagging sections of gutter can create equally severe problems, while any cracks, or damaged sections will cause your guttering to perform less efficiently.
Maintaining your gutters
Considering what an important job they do, your gutters actually need relatively little maintenance. Take advantage of the dry weather in the summer months to check for any sagging, or cracked sections. If you spot any, get them replaced before the winter rains set in. In the autumn, check your gutters for fallen leaves and other debris. Ideally, you should do this a couple of times in October and November to ensure the route is all clear for the winter months.
A few times a year, put your rain jacket on and go outside in a downpour to check your gutters are working as they should. If you see any water streaming down the exterior walls of your home, it could be a sign there are cracks, blockages, or leaks in the network. Large patches of mould, or discolouration could also be a sign of poor guttering, so if you see any, call in a professional straight away.
For more tips and advice on keeping your home in great condition, explore our site today.