Your gutters collect runoff rain and transport it off of your roof and into downpipes that release the rain to the ground. They also collect leaves and other debris that can cause a blockage, so it is important to regularly clean your gutters to prevent fire and leak damage.
Your Gutters and Bush Fires
Fires can be started from burning embers that are up to five kilometres away. This means that even if you feel you are a safe distance away from a bush fire, there is still a chance of your home catching on fire. One of your frontline defences for bushfire prevention is cleaning your gutters weekly. You could also invest in a gutter guard to prevent the risk of your roof catching fire. Gutter guards seal off your roofline, protecting it from any flying embers.
If you have a metal sheet roof, however, your chances of a fire are much less common.
Maintain Gutters to Avoid Leaks
If your gutters are blocked, this could end up causing leaks and other water damage in a variety of ways. Clogged gutters are heavy, and this extra weight could cause the gutter to break away from the fascia, causing a build-up of water that will wreak havoc on your home. In addition, if the gutters are clogged, they aren’t doing their function of assisting water to travel safely away from the roof of the house. This means the water isn’t going anywhere, and is instead putting extra weight on the roof, causing roof damage and leaks inside the home.
Leaks from the roof are troubling, but so are leaks into the foundation of your home. If your gutters are blocked, the water will not only build-up on the roof but it will also not reach the downspout that serves to ensure the water flow stays away from the foundation of the home. This means that the water will overflow out of the gutters and pool around the foundation, resulting in cracks, mould, leaks, etc.
To prevent this problem, the first step is to have properly installed roof drainage systems. High quality gutters, fascia and downpipes are an important aspect of your roof, so make sure you choose a rainwater system that is easy to maintain and durable.
How to Clean Your Gutters
Cleaning your gutters is fairly simple and should be done once a week, if possible. It is important that you have a ladder, some durable work gloves, a brush and a bucket to start. First, use your gloved hand to clear the debris out of the gutter and put it in the bucket. Once the debris is clear, give the gutters a good scrub with the brush.
To test if there are any blockages in the downpipes, try getting the hose up there and sending a steady stream of water into the gutter. If the water exits the pipes easily, then your job is done. If it doesn’t, that means that there is a blockage that you need to clear out.
Don’t leave the safety of your home from fires and leaks to chance. One Stop Roofing Shop in Sydney has the best rainwater systems. Browse our online selection today.
