Autumn has finally hit! The heavens have opened, the temperatures are dropping and the leaves are turning. But before those leaves have a chance to fall, now’s your last chance to protect your gutters from potential blockages.
Once these soggy leaves stick and clump in your gutters, it can lead to serious (and expensive) consequences. First, there’ll be water damage to the exterior of your home – as soon as the rain overflows your gutters, it encourages leaks, mould growth and can even impact the foundations. Then there’s the damage to the gutters themselves to think about; the sheer weight of the blockage can snap gutter fixings and pull it from the wall. Finally, pests are attracted to blocked gutters, too, including mosquitoes and rodents.
In short, it’s a problem to avoid by any means necessary. To stop it before it happens, these are the steps we recommend you take now.
Install gutter guards
Gutter guards are fitted on top of your gutters to prevent debris build-up in the place. This barrier is made up of a mesh panel, so rain can still flow through, but rogue leaves are blocked from finding their way in. Products such as the Parkland 10m Gutter Leaf Guard can protect your gutters, or there are rolls of mesh you can also cut to size for the same effect.
Another option to try is a plastic balloon cage, which sits at the top of the downspout to stop debris from washing down into your gutters, such as Brackit Plastic Gutter Guards. Or consider gutter brushes, such as the ZYBUX Gutter Brush, which sit directly in the gutter to stop leaves and pests from collecting.
Be aware, though, that gutter guards will still need regular inspections to clear any rogue leaves that get caught and create an alternative blockage from above.
Trim back overhanging branches
If you’ve got branches hanging directly above or nearby your gutters, it’s worth trimming these back. Each branch will release its own batch of leaves and twigs in the coming weeks, which can lead to a dangerous build-up.
These branches also give pests, such as squirrels and rats, easier access to the gutters and, if they’re already blocked, provides valuable nesting material to turn into a nesting site.
Clear the moss
Moss grows predominantly on roofs that are dark and moist – generally north-facing. The trouble is, when it rains heavily, that same moss is washed down into your gutter, providing a secondary source of blockages to be conscious of.
Clearing the roof of moss will require careful scrubbing with a soft brush and a specialist biocidal treatment, all while working at heights. For this reason, we recommend hiring in a professional to do the job for you.
Clean your gutters regularly
Even after doing all of the above, you need to check and clean your gutters routinely, especially if you notice a lot of leaves have dropped overnight, or there have been recent high winds that may have blown debris in.
You should also act if you spot soil erosion in the garden (where water has overflowed from the gutter), or if your water butt has stopped filling up. Small indicators such as these point to a blocked gutter as much as water damage to the exterior.
We recommend cleaning the gutters twice a year – once in spring and once in autumn – although you need to check them over if you spot any of the above, too.
To clean your gutters, carefully climb a ladder, while gloved and carrying a bucket, and manually remove the leaves by hand. It helps to have a second person stationed below to empty the bucket for you as needed. Gradually move the ladder along as you clear the gutter and run water through at the end to check it’s free flowing.
If you’re uncomfortable with climbing a ladder, hire in a professional to help. Whether you need moss removing or tall branches trimming, a professional can always help if you feel uneasy about the task.
