Updated for yet another wet season in 2024 by Joe Rantio. Every autumn, the resplendent Sydney greenery transforms into gorgeous warm tones as the leaves turn to gold and red and fall delicately… into your gutters. Choked up and struggling, your gutters pass the leaf litter into your downpipes and creates beautifully coloured stormwater drain blockages. At least the clog is pretty. Add the damp and increased rainfall and your gutters will end up in a sludgy mess if you don’t have a gutter proofing schedule. There are many problems that can be caused by blocked and damaged gutters, costing you valuable dollars. Read on for the top tips for why you should protect your gutters this autumn.
Main problems caused by blocked and damaged gutters
Gutters are far away, on top of the house, away from your eyes. Being out of sight, it is easy to forget all about them. Cleaning the gutters, or installing gutter proofing or gutter guards is among most important (and annoying) chores and here’s why:
- Blocked gutters can lead to flooding when it rains. The water fills up and overflows over the back of the gutter. The resulting damage can affect your roof and ceiling areas, walls, floors and potentially the precious contents of your home.
- Damaged gutters can increase pest infestation, including mice, snakes and possums who are looking for shelter and can enter the roof space through damaged gutters.
- The build up of debris in gutters can be a fire risk.
- Excess moisture in clogged gutters can lead to an increased risk of termites and extensive damage.
If you are aware of blockages and damage to your gutters, your insurance company may not cover the damage caused to your property. Read on for tips on how you can fix the problem before it’s too late. Your backyard drainage system, stormwater pits and stormwater pumps all work best when the roof water is clear of debris and the system is working together well. Talk to us about a complete stormwater drainage system, it’s all part of our plumbing service!
Solutions for gutter proofing
The best way to steer clear of costly repairs from the above issues, is to make sure the gutters stay clean and clear. There are a few ways you can do this.
- DIY cleaning of gutters – this can be risky and time consuming.
- Professional cleaning of gutters – while a better choice, this can be costly as cleaning is required regularly and must be maintained.
- Gutter proofing – this is an inexpensive way to protect your gutters. It not only prevents blockages from leaves and debris, it also decreases the risk of gutter rust. You won’t have to do the dirty work of cleaning the gutters down the track, either, decreasing the risk of falling from heights or the costly outlay of hiring a cleaner.
Leaf proofing is vital in autumn. There’s a huge range of gutter proofing products available, including aluminium mesh and polyethylene covers. There is sure to be a product to suit your roof.
Sydney locations with the worst gutter problems
We’ve been plumbers in Ryde for more than twenty years. We’ve seen a lot of autumns, and a lot of disasters the following summers. Our worst hit areas for gutter damage leading to backyard drainage problems are the greener areas of:
While it’s not limited to these areas, if you are in a leafier part of Ryde or North Sydney area, gutter maintenance or installing gutter guards, could save you a fortune come the summer rain. We know. We’ve been dealing with the clean up for over two decades!
Need help with gutter proofing your home? The ongoing wet summers are compounding your problems every year. If you noticed any issues last year, then chances are you’re in for a disaster soon. It’s time to get in touch!