Why Do I Need to Clean My Gutters?

Why do I need to clean my gutters?

A free-flowing gutter system means an effective gutter system. Gutters are designed to take rainwater from the roof away from the building to prevent water damage.

Unfortunately, gutters can be blocked for various environmental and structural reasons. Regular cleaning of the gutter pan or the installation of a gutter guard system will drastically minimise any gutter obstruction, keeping your gutters free flowing and functional.

What should my gutter do, and why isn’t it working?

A functioning gutter system will collect the water off your roof and allow this water to travel to the downpipes and away from your building.

Gutter systems can be obstructed for various reason. One of the main reasons are environmental factors, such as leaves from nearby trees depositing leaf debris in the gutters. Another common cause is sand or dust in the air that wash in off the roof. Or gutters may be blocked by debris collected and deposited from birds, by lost balls or other items that have fallen from above!

With blocked gutters we also need to consider the structure of the gutters. Gutters should be installed with a slope towards the downpipes to allow gravity to draw the water along and away from the gutter. If the gutter is not orientated with a slope to the downpipe, then pooling of water can occur. If you have pooling water and bird seed or debris collecting that isn’t be washed down the downpipe, gutters can have a build-up of sludge or even plant growth that inhibits the function of the gutter.

Blocked gutters can lead to a raft of issues, from water damage to the roof and walls and leaks through a building, external water marks, mould and mildew growth. Blocked gutters can deteriorate and detach from the roof and cause structural problems to the building itself. Gutters need to be kept clear to be effective.

How do I clean my gutters?

When evaluating how best to keep your gutters clean you need to consider the environment your building or home is located in and the sorts of debris that affect your gutters. To prevent larger debris and leaf matter you should consider the long term benefit of an externally installed gutter guard. Keeping in mind that these gutter guards can be washed or flushed through if required. If your issue is finer particles of sand or dust washing into the gutter pan then a regular clean of your gutters may be your best course of action.

Gutter cleaning can often be achieved from the ground level using a tool, such as a gutter vacuum or a gutter wand. If the gutters need to be cleaned from ladders or from the roof a professional gutter cleaning service may be the safest and most effective option.

Keep your gutters clean and free-flowing!

Part of any home maintenance programme is keeping your gutters free-flowing to be effective. Gutters can be maintained or protected with an external gutter protection system or with a regular cleaning schedule that suits your gutters in your environment. If you need help deciding which is the best course of action for your building, then call LeafScreen for some free advice or a free quote on 0800 53 23 53.

LeafScreen New Zealand provides gutter solutions across the upper to central North Island, including Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo. And we can service the lower North Island - Wairarapa, Wellington areas.