If you don’t want your gutters to leak, you need to protect them from leaves. Leaves have an uncanny knack of finding their way onto your roof, where they happily lodge in your gutters. Before you know it, your gutters are blocked, putting your home at serious risk of drainage problems and water damage.
Blocked gutters are one of the most common causes of roof leaks. So you need to protect your gutters from falling leaves. Here’s how:
Regularly clean and maintain your gutters
For your gutters to work properly, you need to keep them clear of leaves and debris. If you neglect this, the leaves will form up into a large clump, clogging up your gutters. To prevent this, you should make a habit of regularly inspecting and cleaning your gutters. If you discover any build-up of debris, don’t make a note to deal with it later, instead you should clear it immediately,
You should clean your gutters at least twice a year. Either use a ladder to do it yourself (please take care), or hire a professional gutter cleaning company to do it for you.
Regularly sweep your roof
Sweeping your roof on a regular basis will reduce the leaves and debris falling into your gutter. You’ll need a tall ladder and someone you can trust to hold the ladder when you climb. To make your job easier, your home and garden centre can offer you a selection of different types of roof-rake, each designed for a specific roof material.
While you’re up there, make sure you remove any fungi and algae you see growing. Use a sprayer to apply diluted bleach to any affected areas.
Trim nearby tree branches
If you have trees near your home, some of their leaves may find their way into your gutter. Take a proactive approach by trimming any tree branches on the roof-facing sides of any trees. Be especially sure to trim any branches that directly overhang your gutters. If you live in a windy area, you might also consider trimming the branches facing away from your roof as well.
Install gutter guards
Gutter guards protect your gutters from falling leaves and debris, while allowing your drains to do their job unimpeded. Gutter guards are easily installed and can be quickly removed for maintenance. There are three main types of gutter guard:
- Gutter screens are the simplest and most popular type of gutter guard. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be installed in different ways. Some screens fit under the shingles and angle downwards, other screens simply drop into your gutter.
- Surface-tension covers are designed to be an extension of the slope of your roof. Their shape ensures that water clings to the guard and drains into the gutter, while leaves and other debris slide off the edge of the roof.
- Fine mesh guards are similar to gutter screens, but they’re better at catching small debris like seeds and needles. They can be installed under the shingles or fastened to the fascia. The best models come in surgical stainless steel.
Think your gutters need a clean? Save time and effort by getting the job done professionally – call our experts at Roof Rescue on 020 3189 1618 and we’ll be happy to take care of everything for you.
