With winter weather firmly upon us, it’s important you know how to maintain your gutters throughout the colder months. Or, if you currently have a plastic system in place, read on to discover how replacing this with aluminium gutters will leave you with less maintenance all year round!
Ice and snow forming within your gutters can put an extra strain on the system by adding weight. This can cause ice damming (a build-up of ice that prevents water flowing into the gutter system) or ice expansion (can cause leaks and gutter damage). Other common issues can include:
If you notice any of the above issues within your gutter system, or any not mentioned on this list, you should arrange a professional inspection to assess and repair any problems.
To avoid reaching this point, there are a few gutter maintenance tasks you can perform regularly to ensure your system is free from disrepair.
At the least, you should clean your gutters twice a year – once before winter and once in the spring. However, it’s a good idea to check them after any major storm.
To help you do this, you can use a leaf blower or a hose pipe/pressure washer to clear away any seasonal debris. Doing this before winter should help put a stop to any issues. However, ice is inevitable in the colder months, so heated gutter guards can help to melt any build-up, preventing ice damming.
The primary source of debris falling into your gutters comes from your roof. Debris can wash down into your drainage system during rainy periods, or simply make its own way there due to gravity.
Cleaning your roof can be a dangerous ordeal if you are not a professional – roofs can be steep and slippery, and if you live in a multi-story home, things become even more difficult.
That’s why we would highly recommend enlisting the help of a professional to ensure your roof remains clear of any seasonal debris.
Once your gutters are clean and your roof is free of debris, you should inspect your gutter system regularly throughout the year for any signs of rust, corrosion, leaks or damage. These issues will most likely be present at gutter joints, where edges have been welded together.
If your gutters are beyond repair, replace them with aluminium! Our revolutionary seamless aluminium guttering only has joints at corners and end caps, guaranteeing a leak-free system. Built to last, our premium, BBA approved aluminium coil has a life expectancy in excess of 30 years, as well as a 2-year warranty – so you never have to worry about replacing your gutters again.
While gutters are often the star of the show, downpipes also play an important role behind the scenes. Guttering carries water and debris from the roof into the downpipes, which then transport this water into a drainage system. Without downpipes, this water would drain at the base of your home, affecting the structure’s foundations.
You should inspect your downpipes the same way you would with your gutters, again making sure to look out for rust, corrosion, leaks and damage. If these issues are present to an extent where they cannot be repaired, we also offer aluminium downpipes to save you the hassle of constant restoration with inferior alternatives (e.g. plastic/uPVC).
The best way to prevent all of the above and keep your gutters safe this winter (and all year round!) is to choose InterCounty’s Seamless Aluminium Guttering.
A much smarter choice than other common alternatives, such as plastic or uPVC, our innovative seamless aluminium gutters:
✔️ Have ZERO joints in the running length of the gutter, meaning NO leaks!
✔️ Will NOT rust or rot
✔️ Use BBA approved aluminium coil, double-coated on both sides for maximum durability
✔️ Are manufactured by our specialists on-site to suit your exact measurements
✔️ Are virtually maintenance-free with no need for painting
✔️ Are strong enough to take a leaning ladder
✔️ Handle stormy weather with ease
✔️ Have 3 times the flow capacity of a standard domestic half-round plastic gutter
✔️ Are lightweight to minimise strain on your fascia
✔️ Have an excellent snow-loading capacity
✔️ Have a 2-year warranty and a 30+ year life expectancy
✔️ Are environmentally friendly and much easier to recycle than uPVC alternatives
✔️ Can be powder-coated in any RAL colour of your choice!
If you’d like to find out more about our Seamless or Sectional Aluminium Guttering and our Aluminium Downpipes, or any of our other aluminium rainwater drainage systems, get in touch with us to discuss your project requirements today. Our friendly and knowledgeable team are always happy to help, simply give us a call on 0161 768 5282 or email us at sales@intercountyseamless.co.uk. Or, if you prefer, visit our website to fill in the contact form with your details and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about our products, why not visit our FAQs page for more information? If you can’t find an answer to your question, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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