Regularly monitoring your roofline for tell-tale indications that there may be a problem with your gutters is the best way to ensure that the fabric of your property remains in good condition.
If you keep a weather-eye on your property’s exterior then the chances are that when repairs are deemed necessary, they will be less costly than they might be if you only check once in a blue moon.
Gutters are a vital part of your home’s protection; directing water away from the walls, windows and doors of the building they stop moisture from gaining access to the interior where it can cause real and sometimes permanent damage.
What am I looking for?
When you live in a building or when you use it daily, it’s easy to become blind to the minute changes which can occur in its shell; we cease to notice small differences and that’s where the trouble can start.
Look out for the following tell-tale signs that something more might be going on with your building than meets the eye when it comes to guttering.
- Cracks in the gutters: Cracks or splits in your gutters are only going to get bigger and when they reach a certain size, they will let the water in. Stop them before they cause trouble.
- Peeling paint or rust patches: If you spot damaged paintwork on your gutter or if you can see visible rust, then this is a sign that there is more damage elsewhere which may have gone unnoticed. The paint on gutters is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions so damage to it means that water is gaining too much access somewhere.
- Water around the base of your property: If you see pools of water near the base of your home on a regular basis, it is a good idea to check your gutters. There could be a simply blockage caused by leaves or other debris but there could also be a damaged area which is stopping the gutters from functioning well.
- Damp patches on walls beneath gutters: Dark patches directly beneath gutters mean one thing; there’s a leak. Water might be overflowing the gutter or there could be a hole or fissure. Check it out and make sure that the damage is repaired.
- Sagging gutters: One of the most obvious signs of damage to gutters is that of sagging. If they’re sagging or if they’ve moved from their proper position in any direction, then they’re probably full of water or debris and may need replacing.
Remember to check your gutters seasonally; don’t leave it to chance and check yearly…check on the turn of each season to make sure that there have been no weather-related changes.
Choose a sunny, or dry day so that you can get a really clear picture of how well your gutters are performing.
To learn more about gutters and what you can do if yours are damaged or poorly functioning, contact Summit Cladding today.