Gutter Cleaning - Why it is Crucial to Clean Your Gutters at This Time of Year
Autumn is almost over, the trees have lost their leaves and it is time to think about cleaning your gutters and gulleys in preparation for the winter. Overlooking gutter cleaning could cost you an awful lot in repairs, damaged stock, downtime and sheer inconvenience.
The problem with guttering and gulleys is that you normally only see them from below and are blissfully unaware of what they hold. They are designed to allow an unrestricted flow of rainwater to the down pipes which allows proper drainage of your premises.
When it rains, run-off from the roof carries debris and dirt into the gutters. The flow rate of the water in the guttering or gulley is much slower than from the roof so the debris is not washed away and can slowly build up, creating a blockage or partial blockage. Then your problems begin!
Plants and gutter cleaning
Spores from algae and mosses will also have been washed down with the dirt and debris and can quickly consolidate it into a solid mass that disrupts the clear flow of the rainwater, allowing it to form puddles. This keeps the dirt in the gutters and gullies moist for longer, exacerbating the problem.
Any plant seeds that blow into your guttering then have a perfect place to grow. It is sheltered and has plenty of moisture. The roots spread through the dirt in the guttering, searching for water and nutrients.
Plant roots are powerful, they grow slowly but surely and can force their way into the smallest of crevices. When they reach a joint in your guttering or gulley, they can readily penetrate and if you leave them to grow unhindered, the joint is forced apart and a leak is the result. Where the guttering is close to brickwork or stonework, if left unchecked, the roots can even penetrate masonry. The biggest problems are caused by grasses as they can survive periods of low rainfall and freezing temperatures and will quickly resume growth when it warms up and rains.
The autumn leaves can compound this. They blow around and land in your guttering, creating a sludge that is very nutritious for algae, moss and plants. Very quickly, the gutter can become partially or completely blocked and overflow when it starts raining.
The importance of cleaning gutters at this time of year
The weather is deteriorating and your premises will need to deal with a lot of water running off the roof. Any blockages or even partial blockages could lead to water spilling over the edges of the guttering or gulley and entering the building. Not only could this lead to damage to the fabric of your property, it could also cause damage to your stock and equipment. Putting this right would then mean disruption to your daily routine and a lot of money spent.
An un-repaired gutter leak could also lead to damage to the very foundations of your building. Overflowing rainwater can end up at the base of your walls, adding to any rainwater already there. As the unplanned surface water soaks into the ground around the base of your building instead of being removed by the drainage system, it can create problems with the foundations.
So it is for these reasons that it is crucial to get your gutter cleaned at this time of year. By taking the expedient step of having your gutters professionally cleaned before the winter sets in, you could save yourself a lot of stress and money down the line.
The benefits of using a professional gutter cleaning service
Sending your own staff up a ladder to scrape out your guttering is a recipe for disaster. Apart from the Health and Safety aspects, they could do more damage than leaving your gutters and gulleys in a dirty state would have done.
Professional gutter cleaning teams are fully trained in a variety of non-damaging and highly efficient techniques that will ensure the free-flow of water from roof to drains.
Gutter and gulley cleaning service from APT
With our wide range of commercial, industrial and public sector experience, our staff are equipped and trained to deal with the most inaccessible of gutters or gulleys.
To benefit from our gutter and gulley cleaning services, talk to us on 01495 308 048 NOW. We clean all types of guttering including aluminium, cast iron and plastic on all types of building, including factories, commercial premises and listed buildings.
