Your house is incomplete without a roof. To ensure your roof functions well, roofers install downpipes and gutters. These help with your roof’s drainage system of water, dirt, and other debris. It’s vital that you take care of downpipes and gutters because neglecting them will have consequences. Poor maintenance will cause leaks, blockage, and structural damage to your house. Besides downpipes and gutters, there are also downpipe spreaders. It works like regular downpipes but is suitable for multiple-storey buildings. In this article, we dig deep into why regular maintenance of downpipes and gutters is essential.

Understanding Downpipes and Gutters
Downpipes’ and gutters' core function is to disburse excess rainwater, dirt, and other natural elements from your roof. Without them, water will flood and debris will accumulate on your roof causing damage to your house.

Because of their function, it’s vital that downpipes and gutters are regularly maintained. This is because, as your roof ages, if there has been poor maintenance, there will be roof leakage, water blockage, clogged gutters, and moldy walls.

There are different types of gutters and downpipes. For downpipes, they are either square or round. The important thing with downpipes is the capacity regardless of their design. It should be able to disperse water as fast as possible to avoid backflow.

For gutters, variety depends on either material used or the shape. They can be made from Zinc, copper, aluminum, vinyl, or steel. As for the shape, they can be fascia, half-round, European or K-styled. The majority of gutters are made using the K-style style.

The Importance of Regular Maintenance
A majority of homeowners don't pay attention to their gutters and downpipes. And yet, they play a very essential role in protecting your home from damage caused by stagnant water and other debris. It’s important to regularly maintain them because of the following:
  • To avoid costly maintenance and repairs
  • Longevity
  • Save on energy bills
Also, regular maintenance helps prevent common gutter issues like:
  • Clogging
  • Overflowing downpipes
  • Mildew and molds
With gutters and downpipes, preventative maintenance is the best option compared to corrective maintenance. Preventative maintenance means doing regular maintenance to avoid and spot gutter issues before serious damage occurs. Corrective maintenance means neglecting your gutters and paying attention to them after damage occurs. Preventative maintenance is cost-effective compared to corrective maintenance. With the latter, you spend close to nothing, while for the latter, you spend heavily on repairs.

Practical Guide to Maintaining Downpipes and Gutters
You can clean the gutters yourself or hire professional services. If you decide to do it, you need gloves and safety eyewear. Start by removing debris from the gutters. Then use a hose to wash down the gutter and remove excess debris. Using a hose will also tell you if water is draining well through the downpipes.

Sometimes, your efforts will not be enough and the gutters might be in need of professional repairs. These signs will show you that you need professional help:
  • Missing tiles on your roof or cracks
  • Moldy walls
  • Decaying fascia
Although you can clean gutters and downpipes yourself, there are instances where professional maintenance is advisable. These scenarios include:
  • When your gutter looks dirty even after hose cleaning
  • When you hear gushing sounds in the gutters
  • When the gutters look like they’re about to burst
  • Water pooling around the gutters

Gutters and downpipes are essential parts of your roof’s drainage system. As a homeowner, you have a responsibility to regularly maintain them to ensure their proper functioning. If you are unsure about having a maintenance routine for downpipe spreaders and gutters, call your local guttering specialist.