Clear gutters and downpipes

 

Clear gutters and downpipes of branches and leaves

Gutter cleaning is an essential part of protecting your roof and property from cyclone damage, debris build up and pest infestation. Unchecked gutters and downpipes can create expensive problems. You should schedule regular maintenance in order to avoid unexpected damages or pay someone with expertise.

Taking the time to maintain and repair gutters and downpipes can double the life of your roof drainage system and save you money on repair costs. To maintain a free-flowing roof-drainage system, clean out the gutters and downpipes every three months, before the summer storm season and during autumn, when most trees lose their leaves.

Remove the leaves and branches that have blown onto your roof, as gutters rust very quickly when leaves accumulate and then decompose creating a pond. If you have overhanging trees and shrub, keep these well trimmed to reduce the debris that accumulates in the gutters. Wear gloves when digging into gutters, as you could encounter rusty nails and dangerous 'creepy crawlies'.

Rusted gutters break and you then risk water overflowing into the ceiling. Consider installing leaf guards (wire mesh) if your roof drainage system is exposed to falling leaves to stop leaves clogging pipes. Not all gutter guards are effective, because leaves get caught in the mesh instead of the gutters, eventually decompose, filter through the mesh holes and end up in the gutters.

You can either patch leaks in gutters or replace the damaged section. Aluminium and plastic gutters last longer than galvanized steel. Overlap the patch material in the direction of the water flow and cement the edges together securely.

The eaves, linings, and soffits should be checked regularly for deterioration because animals can peck and chew their way through these, to gain entry into your roof cavity for shelter.  

Take care when scaling onto rooves, because they can be very slippery. Make sure someone is there to hold the ladder when you get off the roof.