Gutter maintenance and repair
Have you ever thought about what can happen to your gutter if you do not pay enough attention to it? Imagine coming home from a stressful day at work and finding a clogged gutter that is already overflowing with rainwater. The water is almost everywhere and even runs down the walls of the house - sounds like a lot of work and effort, doesn't it?
How does an overflowing gutter occur and what is the solution?
Falling leaves in autumn
The cause of such a blockage is in most cases leaves. These fall down from the trees in autumn and then block the gutter when they run off together with the rainwater. The swirling, colourful autumn leaves are therefore not only beautiful to look at, but also real enemies for your gutter. To avoid a clogged gutter, you can take preventive measures.
What can you do to prevent clogging with leaves?
The most effective way is to attach a leaf stop to the gutter. It is designed to catch the falling leaves and prevent them from draining away with the water. The leaf stop is simply placed in the gutter and fixed there. Once in place, it serves to catch the leaves and prevent the water from running off unhindered. Nevertheless, it is important to clean the gutter regularly. You should do this at least once a year or even more often if necessary. This will protect your house from damage to the house wall and cellar. If water overflows, there is a risk of mould, for example.
Frost and snow in winter
You should also winterize your gutter to protect it from frost damage. If you do not do this, the water that collects in the gutter during the cold season can freeze. This does not sound bad at first, but it can lead to great damage. This can cause cracks or even burst the downpipe, for example. But not only the frost is a danger in winter, but also the snow. This is because snow becomes meltwater and can then lead to an overflowing gutter. And not only that: If the overflowing meltwater freezes once again, icicles can form. These can be a danger to anyone standing or running under the gutter, as they can cause injuries if they fall. A gutter that is not prepared for winter can therefore become a real problem.
What can be done about frost and snow damage?
What can you do to prevent it early on? The answer is simple: clean! Before the temperatures drop and the first snow is on your doorstep, you should make sure that your gutter has been cleaned of all leaves and dirt. This will prevent blockages and allow water to drain away. There will be no frost that can cause your gutter to burst or icicles that can cause damage. If you want to be on the safe side, it is also possible to install a gutter heater on the gutter and downpipe to protect them from frost.
What to do if there is already damage?
Of course you are not immune to damage and it can happen to any homeowner that the gutter shows signs of wear in one place or another. But you don't have to despair of this, because even this can be repaired with a few simple steps. If, for example, smaller cracks have appeared due to frost damage or other causes, you can easily repair them yourself. All you have to do is to buy silicone and a silicone syringe at the DIY store and close the cracks. A little soapy water rounds off the repair and you can remove the existing silicone residues so that the water can drain away without any problems. Alternatively, you can also use a sealing compound, which you apply to the appropriate area. It is important to clean the area thoroughly beforehand. Afterwards, simply brush it on and let it dry. However, if there is more damage, a sealing tape is the right choice.
Regardless of whether you are installing a leaf stop, preparing the gutter for the winter or repairing it - with the high-quality rung ladders and scaffolding from HAILO, you'll be perfectly equipped for all these tasks! With their high stability in all weathers, they are your safe companions for all work at great heights. So you see, with a little skill and a few preventive measures, you'll be perfectly prepared for autumn and winter. Your gutter should therefore no longer present you with problems that still need to be solved after a stressful day.