Enjoying the autumn leaves? your gutters are not
There is no denying that Cheltenham and the Cotswolds look beautiful in the autumn. The changing colours of the leaves on the many mature trees that grace our town are a wonderful sight. But as those leaves begin to fall, they create the single biggest problem for homeowners that often goes unnoticed until it is too late. They end up in your gutters. A handful of leaves is no problem, but over a few weeks, they can quickly form a dense, solid blockage in your home's rainwater system.
Many people see gutter cleaning as a minor chore that can be put off, but ignoring it, especially in autumn, is a big mistake. A blocked gutter is not just an inconvenience. It is the starting point for some of the most common and costly water damage issues that affect UK homes. Taking care of it now, before the worst of the winter weather arrives, is one of the smartest investments you can make in your property.
What happens when your gutters are blocked?
Your guttering has one simple but vital job. To catch the rainwater from your roof and channel it safely into the downpipes and away from your house. When a blockage of leaves and moss forms, it acts like a dam. The water can no longer flow to the downpipe, so it has to go somewhere else. It will fill up the gutter and then spill over the edge, often in a concentrated stream. This overflowing water constantly runs down the brickwork or render of your home. Over time, this can lead to serious problems like penetrating damp inside your walls, damaged mortar between your bricks, and unsightly green staining on the outside of your property.
The specific danger of winter
Leaving your gutters full of wet, heavy leaves as you head into winter is particularly risky. When the temperature drops, this waterlogged mush of debris freezes solid. As water freezes, it expands. This expansion can put immense pressure on your plastic guttering, often causing it to crack or split. The sheer weight of the frozen block can also be enough to pull the gutter brackets away from the fascia boards, causing the guttering to sag or even collapse. A simple blockage that could have been cleared in the autumn can easily turn into a job that requires expensive repairs to your whole rainwater system come the spring.
The safe way to clear your gutters
The traditional image of clearing gutters involves climbing a wobbly ladder and scooping out handfuls of slimy gunk, a job that is both unpleasant and incredibly dangerous. Ladder accidents are one of the most common causes of serious injury at home. Thankfully, there is a much better way. We use a professional, ground based gutter vacuum system. This consists of long, lightweight carbon fibre poles with a camera on the end, connected to a powerful wet and dry vacuum. We can stand safely on the ground and see inside your gutters as we suck all the leaves, moss, and silt out. It is a completely safe, fast, and mess free solution.
A small job that prevents big problems
As you can see, gutter cleaning is not just about tidiness, it is an essential piece of preventative maintenance. A small amount spent on a professional clean in the autumn can save you a huge amount of money and stress on potential water damage repairs over the winter. Our Cheltenham gutter cleaning service is safe, efficient, and surprisingly affordable. Do not wait for the overflow to start. Get in touch with our friendly team today and make sure your home is fully prepared for the winter ahead.
