Unblocking your gutter’s downpipes is crucial for several reasons related to the functionality and protection of your home and property, here we give you the full information you need to keep your gutters and downpipes healthy and functioning the way they should.
Your guttering system and your downpipes are two separate systems that control the water flow around your home. Your gutters collect the water to prevent water from draining down your walls, render and directly to your foundation. Your downpipes are the channeling method used to move the water away from your roofline to the ground level without causing damage on the way, or even at ground level.
When your guttering system is blocked or damaged, this can sometimes be seen from ground level, due to the plant growth, drips and overflows of water or visible material damage. Blocked downpipes are not so obvious. They are a fully enclosed system that is not transparent and therefore a blockage may not be obvious for a few different reasons:
- The blockage may be towards the lower end of the downpipe, so if the blockage is near the bottom, it will not be noticable unless there is a substantial amount of rain.
- The water in the gutters will not be able to flow into the drainpipe so the first action that would be considered would be a gutter clear and any potential repairs or alignment.
- Some downpipes direct water into a drain or a soakaway, so the outflow of water cannot be monitored.
The benefits of regularly checking your downpipes are:
- Water that overflows due to a blocked downpipe can add extra weight and pressure to the gutters, potentially causing them to sag, detach, or break.
- Stagnant water in blocked downpipes can attract pests such as mosquitoes.
- A blocked downpipe can cause water to overflow from the gutters, leading to water seeping into the roof, walls, and foundation of your home. This can result in significant water damage, including mould growth, structural weakening, and damage to interior finishes.
We would always recommend, keeping your downpipes serviced and maintained; this is essential for protecting your home, improving your confidence and comfort whenever it rains or snows. from water damage, maintaining its structural integrity, safeguarding your landscaping, and preventing pest infestations. Regular maintenance ensures that your gutter system functions effectively, saving you from potentially expensive repairs and health hazards.
