Its that time of year to check your guttering!
Its come round again faster this year but autumn is upon us once more. While it can be a beautiful time of year seeing the bare trees the leaves can become a menace!
Gutters and downpipes are a very important part of your house but are often overlooked, after all who wants to be out in the rain checking that the guttering is working OK? Guttering is the channel fixed around the edges of most roofs to drain off rainwater. Nearly all modern housing has plastic guttering but many older properties use cast iron or even asbestos. Whatever the type they can easily become blocked by leaves, dirt and other rubbish blown into them.
Once a gutter or down pipe becomes blocked, rainwater will flow back off the gutter onto walls and windows of your home.
Silt, sediment from dust and seeds will settle into neglected gutters and weeds will grow in them, adding to the problem. Water constantly overflowing from blocked gutters damages bricks and mortar and can cause extensive damp on the outside and mould on the inside of your house as it is absorbed by the bricks or poorly pointed brickwork.
If the gutter is maintained at least twice a year all that is needed to be done is have the guttering swept out, an inexpensive job for a professional and atemptable by the confident D.I.Y’er.
You do not always have to stand outside in the rain to check the performance of your guttering, have a look along the lengths and have a look at the unions (joints) and check for any white staining, which is more noticeable on black guttering.
Replacement plastic guttering is a very cost effective way of ensuring all our great British weather is directed in the right way!
Jack39
February 6, 2013 (4:04 pm)
Thanks for this reminder~ And yes it is the time to check on my gutter lol~ I’ve been too lazy lately and I’ve let my gutter accumulate rubbish for the past 4 months. I came to get some advice on finding good builders and actually ended up getting an advice on something more pressing. Anyhow thanks for the great information and you should expect to get a call from me soon for a little renovation project.
Mafa
March 30, 2013 (7:28 am)
Yep, and even after having ponetid this out to them over 2 months ago, Pulte/Centex still hasnt bothered to get someone back out there and repair the defects. Although they HAVE acknowledged them. It just goes to show you what kind of builders they really are, and what you can expect of them. Its pretty sad isnt it?