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5 Winter Gutter Maintenance Recommendations
Regular gutter inspections in winter and removal of debris, snow and ice ensures gutters stay clean. We share winter gutter recommendations.
During wintertime, building gutters are exposed to an array of extreme weather conditions, such as snow and ice. Therefore, it’s important to include winter gutter maintenance when you conduct seasonal roof inspections. Blocked gutters and pooling water can weaken the roofline, resulting in leaks and costly damage to both the exterior and interior of a building. In this article, we share five winter gutter maintenance recommendations.
1. Remove Debris and Check Drainage
When you are carrying out an inspection, remove all visible debris from gutters and downpipes. Old birds’ nests, twigs, branches and plant matter can quickly accumulate within a gutter, increasing the risk of blockages. When water is prevented from escaping into downpipes, it can begin to pool and place pressure on both the guttering and the roofline. If left unchecked, water can build up after a heavy storm or snowmelt, causing it to overflow.
Overflowing water not only saturates the ground, but also lower roofing areas. Problems can then arise from weakened building foundations and standing water in areas that have not been designed for that purpose. By keeping your guttering clean on a regular basis, you will prevent expensive repairs later down the line.
2. Inspect for Cracks and Holes
Guttering is an exposed and vulnerable area of a roofline. Therefore, it can become easily damaged from fallen debris and excessive rain, snow or ice. Examine the full length of the guttering system for any cracks and holes, as well as supporting joints and brackets. Always adhere to HSE working at height guidelines. A ground view inspection will also help you to determine whether the guttering is sagging in any areas, which could be a sign of damage.
3. Be Aware of Snow and Ice Buildup
Heavy snow can add significant weight load to both the roof and the guttering system. Settled snow can weigh around 6kg per square metre at a depth of 10cm. If the weather changes to heavy rain after a snowstorm, then the snow can act like a sponge. The snow can soak up the additional water, which increases the weight load on the gutter and roof.
It’s also worth noting the weight of sheet ice, especially when freezing conditions occur after a period of heavy rain. In addition, ice dams can occur that trap water within the gutter. This is common in buildings such as factories and offices, where some areas of the buildings are emitting more interior heat than others. Check for any issues by inspecting the full guttering system and carefully clear away ice and snow to prevent excessive weight load.
4. Install Gutter Guards
The installation of gutter guards can be a useful way to protect the guttering system around a building. Typically, this is in the form of UPVC or metal netting that prevents debris building up within the gutter.
You can also install snow guards, which is usually either a grid panel and bracket, or a ‘snow bird’ which is a device that hooks the snow into place. The aim of these guards are to prevent a large snow dump onto the ground and passersby below. However, you would need to ensure snow is regularly cleared to reduce unnecessary weight load on the gutter.
5. Coat your Gutters
If you want to maintain the strength and integrity of your gutters, then it’s advisable to use a professional gutter coating. Although there are various products on the market, it’s advisable to use a specially designed coating formula that includes a repair treatment. This will ensure that your guttering is fully protected against different types of winter weather conditions.
Giromax Technology has developed a market-leading gutter coating, formulated using innovative anti-corrosion laminar flake technology. Tough and resistant to winter weather, as well as other temperature extremes, Giromax® Guttercoat is an elastomeric coating designed to withstand pooling water.
This gutter coating fully encapsulates the gutter and can be used as an anti-corrosion treatment for repairing metal guttering systems. It can be used on a wide range of substrates including galvanised steel, asbestos cement, cast iron, aluminium, copper and lead. If you need to seal defective joints, it can be used in combination with Giromax® Sealant.
Unlike its competitor products, Giromax® Guttercoat has a ground-breaking formula that’s also moisture tolerant, which means it can be applied in damp conditions. Therefore, this reduces contractor downtime when you need to repaint your guttering system. When the substrate has been prepared to the correct standard and application guidelines have been followed, this gutter coating is guaranteed for up to 15 years.
Conclusion
Depending on the type of substrate, gutters have typical load capacities. The longevity of the gutter system will depend on the material and how well it has been maintained. By including regular gutter inspections within your winter maintenance programme, you can prevent expensive repairs and replacements. A well-maintained roofline will ensure the integrity of the entire roof, so it’s crucial to clean and inspect your gutters during colder months.
Our Technical Services Managers have decades of experience and knowledge advising on gutter maintenance and coatings. The Giromax team work closely with contractors, surveyors and specifiers to provide suitable coatings for gutter repairs. We have earned a trusted reputation across the industry and our product range is second to none.
For more details, call 01455 558969 or email: sales.orders@giromax.co.uk
Sources:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg401.htm
https://sudell.co.uk/winter-gutter-cleaning-maintenance/
https://joylandroofing.com/all-about-snow-guards/
https://www.ukgutters.co.uk/news/winter-storm-advice-for-commercial-gutters/
https://www.centimark.com/component/easyblog/winter-roof-maintenance-tips-for-commercial-properties
https://www.sinclair-rush.co.uk/categories/netting/gutter-netting/
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5 Winter Gutter Maintenance Recommendations
Managing Director
During wintertime, building gutters are exposed to an array of extreme weather conditions, such as snow and ice. Therefore, it’s important to include winter gutter maintenance when you conduct seasonal roof inspections. Blocked gutters and pooling water can weaken the roofline, resulting in leaks and costly damage to both the exterior and interior of a building. In this article, we share five winter gutter maintenance recommendations.
