Why are Gutters So Important?
The guttering system is critical to your home, yet it is overlooked. It helps in controlling the rainwater flow from roof to the ground. Gutters help to protect your roof walls, landscaping and house foundation. However, they can be blocked easily due to the leafy suburbs of Canberra such as Tuggeranong causing severe damage and cost.
Stats Showcasing Risk
Canberra’s unpredictable climate makes gutter blockages a common issue. Some statistics are shared below for your reference:
- Homes in Canberra are surrounded by the large native and deciduous trees (City Services ACT Report).
- Rainfall can be above average as in Oct 2023 (according to the Bureau of Meteorology).
- The ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) recorded property damage due to storms last year in 2024. Most of the calls were related to blocked drainage and damaged roofs.
Most people don’t realise the damage that the blocked gutters can cause such as cracked ceilings and waterlogged footings. It’s a ticking bomb when left unattended.
What Happens When Gutters Are Really Blocked?
Blocked gutters trap leaves, dirt, acorns, and other debris. Over time, water cannot flow and starts to pool. That water then…
Blocked gutters have leaves, dirt, acorns and debris. Water starts overflowing out of it and pools up. This water then moves onto
1. Onto the Roof
Water that pools up on the roof then moves under the metal sheets and roof tiles, damaging the timber underneath along with the insulation.
2. Goes into the Fascia and Soffits
Water is soaked into the eaves, wall cladding and fascia boards – hiding there for months until structural cracks and moulds appear.
3. Goes onto Walls & Foundations
Excessive water running down the exterior walls causes cracks and peels in the bricks along with moisture to enter the foundation. In case of clay heavy ACT soils, this becomes even more dangerous.
4. Builds Health Hazards
Water and moisture leads to mildew, pest infestations and mould contributing to the allergies and respiratory issues. It becomes a haven for mosquitoes, rats and termites due to the debris-clogged gutters.
Which Season causes the most trouble?
Autumn is when the leaves fall and gutters are at the heaviest risk. In the winters there is frost and roof runoff causing ice damage and cracking. Spring causes debris due to birds nesting and flower blossoming. Summers cause intense downpours and storms due to the rapid overflow and structural pressure.
Advice: How Often Should Canberra Homes Clean Gutters?
The gutters should be cleaned every 6 months especially in the older suburbs with dense foliage, according to the expert building inspectors. The best practice is to do it post autumn and around October for the pre-summer storms.
Safety Tips to Save Your Roof
- Always Install Leaf Guards & Gutter Mesh Helps in decreasing debris buildup by 85%
- Always Schedule Gutter Cleaning around Seasonal Maintenance
Combine it with your spring garden clean up - Using Downpipe Filters & Leaf Strainers
These are inexpensive and easy to install - Book a Professional Inspection
Contact Alpha Roofing ACT Experts for a roof inspection to understand more about your roofing problems prior to the damage done to the roof and gutter system. - Trim the Overhanging Tree Branches
These particularly include the pine and the gumtree which are commonly found in Canberra.
Ignoring to clean and maintain your gutters would eventually lead to blocked and damaged ones for which you would need a complete gutter replacement in Canberra, and that can be costly too.