Maintaining your rainwater system is just as crucial as specifying the right system for your home. Paul Grills of Brett Martin offers insights on best practice for preserving healthy gutters and downpipes

Although rainwater drainage systems are far from the largest cost item in a self-build project, neglecting their maintenance post-installation can prove to be more expensive in the long run due to repairs. The exterior of your house is exposed to all elements, and over time gutter systems will become less effective due to build up of dirt and debris. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain gutters and keep them in excellent condition to ensure your home remains secure during heavy downpours and to prevent secondary issues such as mould and damage to the exterior finish of the home. 

SAFETY FIRST

Maintaining gutters invariably means working at height, therefore it is important that you take all the necessary safety precautions, including using the relevant personal protective equipment (PPE). 

CLEANING

Regular maintenance of your rainwater system will ensure that it reaches the intended lifespan. The general rule for best practice is to inspect and clean your gutters and downpipes at least once a year, but the best practice is to do so during the autumn and spring to keep them prepared for heavy rainfall and inclement weather. For areas experiencing frequent and heavy rain or areas where there is a lot of wind borne debris such as sand along the coastline or close proximity to deciduous tree leaves in autumn, more regular maintenance to remove the debris may be necessary to mitigate the increased strain on the system. 

Using a plastic gutter cleaning tool, remove larger debris from the gutter and place it in a bucket, then rinse out the remaining dirt and debris with a garden hose for a thorough clean. Direct the hose towards the downpipe to allow the debris to drain away. If water is not draining correctly, check for blockages in the downpipe and use the necessary tool to dislodge them, if required. 

After cleaning, check that each component in the system is secure and realign any components that may have shifted during maintenance, flushing the entire system once more with the hose for optimal performance. 

It is also important to check and maintain gullies at ground level on open drains, where downpipes direct rainwater into, to ensure they also remain free of debris and allow rainwater to reach the drainage system.

REPAIRING

After completing the gutter cleaning process, it is important to conduct regular inspections of the entire system, including the joints, to detect any rust or leaks before they can cause lasting damage. 

When dealing with leaking gutter joints, there are various solutions available depending on the type of guttering you have. If you have metal guttering, the joint can be scraped of any debris and dried before injecting roof and gutter sealant into it. If your guttering is plastic, check that fittings such as union pieces and running outlets are secured, as one of the gaskets may be dislodged or damaged. In this case, you can release the joint by squeezing the gutter, and reposition the gasket into the correct location or replace the damaged gasket with a new one. Alternatively, if the guttering is sagging due to a loose or incorrectly positioned brackets, water will accumulate and pool instead of flowing as it should. If the issue is due to a loose screw, insert a wall plug and re-screw the bracket. If the bracket is not positioned correctly, fill the hole and reattach the bracket in the correct position. Plastic guttering should also be checked to ensure that gutters have not moved beyond the thermal expansion guides on the gutter fittings. 

To tackle leaks at the end of a guttering length, it is important to check if a stop-end is missing or dislodged. If the stop-end has been dislodged then it should be refixed, in the case of a missing stop-end the gutter profile and size should be checked and then the stop-end should be replaced with one which is compatible with the gutter profile. In the case of a loose plastic downpipe, inspect the clips and screws to see if they’re properly connected. Replace the screws with the same size if any are missing. Alternatively, the issue could stem from loose wall plugs, so replace them and secure the screws back in place. 

Unfortunately, if rust is spotted, it indicates that the gutters have reached the end of their lifespan, and replacement is necessary for continued efficient rainwater drainage and home protection. At this point, it may be wise to switch to plastic gutters, which do not rust and can still provide the traditional cast iron aesthetic if required.

Maintaining a rainwater drainage system is vital for the protection and longevity of your home. Neglecting to upkeep your gutters and downpipes can lead to costly repairs and secondary issues as well as potential damage to the home. By following these best practices, you can help prolong the life of your rainwater drainage system and keep your home protected. 

Paul Grills is technical manager at Brett Martin