Tag: Gutters

Categories
Roofing

How to install guttering

Gutters channel the water away from your home so that it does not cause damage to your foundation or walls. If your gutters are clogged or need to be replaced, they can end up costing you more in repairs in the long run. You might think that repairing or replacing your guttering yourself is a good option, but this is one project where you can get into more than you imagined, so it might be a good idea to hire a professional. If you decide to do it yourself, here is what you can expect. 

How do you know if your gutters need repairing or replacing?

One of the biggest things that you might be wondering is if you need guttering replacement or whether someone can repair it. The first thing you need to do is determine if your gutters are clogged and require cleaning out. Whether they need to be repaired or replaced, cleaning them is the first step. If you clean your guttering and you find that you still have water leaking from them in a few places, then you might be able to repair it with silicone sealant. If your guttering is corroded, hanging loose, or pulling away from the roof, then it might be time for a replacement. 

The guttering price depends on the type of guttering that you choose and how much you need. Continuous guttering is a popular choice because it comes in various shapes and has a seamless look. If you select this type of guttering, it is also more challenging to install correctly. The average cost for guttering is between $30 to $160 per metre. PVC is the least expensive, with stainless steel being the most costly type. 

Can I install gutters myself?

It is technically possible to install guttering yourself, but you must be licenced to carry out this work in many parts of Australia. Any guttering work that involves drainage work might require a plumber’s licence. Replacing gutters in many parts of Australia is considered a licenced trade. Once the job has been complete, you will often need a compliance certificate for your home records. This means that you are not allowed to do the job yourself, and we do not recommend it. The information in this article is for information only. 

Source: Ultimate Gutter Cleaning

Materials and tools

If you decide to install your gutters despite local regulations, here are a few things that you will need. 

Materials:

  • Guttering material
  • Gutter flashing
  • Hanging straps
  • Elbows
  • Downspouts
  • Rivets
  • Hex head screws
  • Self-tapping hex head screws
  • Sealant approved for outdoor use

Tools:

  • Cordless drill
  • Crimping tool
  • Duckbill tin snips
  • Hex head driver
  • Offset tin snips
  • Pop rivet gun
  • Spirit level 
  • Pencil
  • Appropriate ladder

How to install gutters

Now that you know what you need, it is time to discuss the process. The exact procedure depends on the style of your home. Here are the general steps of the process. 

  • Plans and sketches: The first thing you need to do is draw a sketch of your house and note how much guttering you need. You will also need to know how many things like elbows, hangars, and downspouts. You will need to make a detailed plan of your guttering system. 
  • Remove the old guttering: The first step is to remove the old guttering. You must remove it carefully so that you do not damage the roof or walls beneath.
  • Measure and cut the pieces: It is easier to measure and assemble the guttering on the ground and then install it. You will need to measure the pieces and assemble them on a large work surface. You must know how to notch the guttering properly to join pieces. It is difficult to fix any mistakes that are made in this phase. An accurate measurement can mean having to purchase more guttering and starting over. 
  • Assemble the pieces: Now it is time to assemble the pieces. Most pieces snap together. Use rivets to attach the sections together permanently. You must apply a sealant to the seams to make them watertight.
  • Cut the downspout holes: Next, measure and cut the holes for the downspouts. This must be carried out with precision, or they will not fit properly. Rivet the downspout outlet to the gutters. 
  • Set the slope: Now, use a spirit level to mark the proper slope all around the fascia of the house. 
  • Mount the guttering: Screw the gutter to the fascia, add the gutter flashing, and attach the hangers. Attach the downspout brackets to the house, and assemble the downspout elbows. Rivet the downspouts to the brackets. 

Contact local guttering experts

How to install gutter guards

Gutter guards are an excellent way to keep gutters from becoming clogged with leaves and debris. You must carefully lift the edge of the roofing up with a putty knife so that the gutter guard can be placed underneath it and snapped to the edge of the gutter on the side opposite the house. You will have to mitre the corners and make proper joins. Some guards are fastened to the fascia with screw brackets. 

How to hire a gutter installer

As you can see, there is more to installing guttering than it would seem at first. Even if you were allowed to do it yourself, there are many reasons why you would not want to attempt it, especially being up on a ladder for that amount of time when you are not used to it. Here are a few questions you should ask when hiring a guttering installer. 

  • Are you licenced to install guttering in this state? 
  • What is your experience with the type of home that I have? 
  • What is included in the installation, such as regular cleaning or a similar offer?
Categories
Roofing

What are gutter guards?

It seems like no one really worries about their gutters, or thinks that guards are worth it – until it’s too late. Clogged or damaged gutters can have major financial implications if you don’t take the necessary precautions to protect them. Check out our guide below for a look at how you can protect your home’s gutters.

What are gutter guards?

Essentially, gutter protection just refers to installing physical barriers to prevent debris, leaves, insects, and animals from getting into your gutters. The concept is rather simple, since these guards are made up of mesh that can be purchased in rolls.

As you might guess, you can simply place the mesh over your gutters, which will ensure that most debris cannot get through. Leaves, rocks, and litter can all clog up your gutters over time, causing them to be ineffective or even break when it rains and the water is forced to build up. The finer the mesh is in your gutter guards, the less debris can get through.

Gutter guards protect your roof from building up debris and excess water / Source: Powerclean Exteriors

The benefits of gutter guards

There are many benefits of installing gutter guards on your roof.

  1. Maintain water flow: the most important reason is ensuring any water in your gutters can run along the surface seamlessly until it reaches the area where it can safely fall into a drain. When debris builds up, it blocks the water’s path. Blockages can lead to your gutters overflowing when there is a lot of rain. Having too much water sit in one area of your gutter can put extra weight on your house, breaking the gutters, causing stains down the side of the house, damaging your home and its foundations.
  2. Avoid gutter cleaning: With gutter protection, you don’t have to worry about getting onto the roof every six months or less to clean the gutters of debris that is blocking them up. Bonus, you can also save money by not having to hire a professional for this job. You may still need to clean the gutters, but you’ll only have to do it once every few years instead of every six months.
  3. Keep pests and rust at bay: When blockages occur, stagnant water accumulates, attracting mice, cockroaches, spiders, and mosquitoes. With gutter guards, this isn’t such an issue. More than this, gutter guards physically prevent birds, rodents, possums, and the like from getting into your roof space. standing water and wet debris can also attract premature rust.
  4. Water tank win: Water will flow freely through your gutters and downpipes when gutter protection is in place. If you’ve got a rainwater tank, this will ensure that it fills faster. In addition, the water that is collected by the tank will be cleaner as well, since fewer contaminants, leaves, and debris will filter down through the pipes.
  5. Bushfire protection: If you live in any area where bushfires are common, dry materials that build up in your gutters can cause a fire hazard, as travelling embers from nearby fires can light them up. Metal gutter protection, therefore, is important in minimising this build up and eliminating this potential hazard.

Contact local guttering experts

Gutter guard options

In general, a gutter guard will be a mesh made out of aluminium, polypropylene, or stainless steel. The size of the holes in the mesh is just one option to think about as you choose your gutter guards. Consider the types of debris your home seems to be prone to. If you are most worried about larger debris or large pests, such as rats, the mesh you choose does not have to be particularly fine. If it’s small debris you are worried about, you need to select gutter guards with the smallest openings possible.

Most gutter protection is in the form of a thin metal mesh / Source: JK Handyman

You also have a choice when it comes to colours. If you want your gutter guards to be hard to see, you can buy them in the same colours as your gutters. You also have a choice when it comes to the material. The mesh is usually made of metal, such as aluminium or steel, but you can also opt for gutter guards made of nylon or foam. For bushfire protection, be sure to choose the metal mesh rather than the plastic-like material.

Categories
Roofing

Square vs round gutters: Which is better?

Gutters are a critical part of every home, ensuring that water is properly drained from the roof to the ground. When searching for new units, it can be difficult to select the correct model that fits your requirements and budget. There are two types of gutters available today: square and round. Surprisingly, all gutters are not built alike and have many different characteristics. When comparing the different types, keep the following tips and information in mind.

Square gutters: Advantages & disadvantages

As suggested by their name, square gutters have a square shape that provides a modern profile suitable for all building types and architecture. Square gutter units are available in two different models: lo-square and hi-square. Lo-square gutters are 110 mm in height, and hi-square gutters are 130 mm in height. Hi-square versions typically cover the edges of most roof sheets and tiles in order to improve their appearance. Lo-square units are neater in appearance than hi-square gutters, and they’re more economical.

Rain gutters can add to your home’s overall aesthetic / Source: Better Homes Professional Painting Home Maintenance

Both versions of square gutters offer high water capacities that can easily manage large volumes of water. If you live in a particularly wet and rainy area, then this is a good option for you. Unfortunately, in lighter rainfall areas, square gutters easily clog over time. However, these clogs can be mitigated by adding a gutter guard to break up the fine debris.

Square gutters are most commonly made from Colorbond, galvanised steel, or Zincalume; and they can be purchased in a variety of colors to match the exterior décor of your residence. Square gutters are extremely durable and will last many years with proper maintenance. There are many accessories that can be added to square gutters, including: gutter mitres, fixing brackets, stop ends, and gutter guards.

Round gutters: Advantages & disadvantages

Commonly referred to as “half-round gutters,” when viewed from an angle, these units have the appearance of a circle that’s been split in half. Half-round gutters can be built to have a straight back, or created in a semi-circle. This type is excellent for Spanish, Tuscan, and modern homes due to their clean look and smooth geometry that matches the architecture.

An example of a round gutter / Source: Franco Bros Roofing

In addition to being aesthetically-pleasing, half round gutters deliver superior water carrying abilities as a result of their larger diameter. Also, they require less maintenance due to their smooth, rounded shape. Therefore, there is fewer chance that debris will block the flow of water. Additionally, these units are much better at naturally flushing out debris during light rain than square gutters.

Also made from Colorbond, galvanised steel, or Zincalume, half round gutters are available in many different colours. They are extremely durable and offer a large number of accessories, including: stop ends, internal and external gutter brackets, and external corners.

Categories
Roofing

Cleaning your gutters

It is one of the most dreaded chores you can do around the home. The fact that the gutters fill with debris that needs occasional clearing means you probably put off getting it done until its too late or you’re forced to do it.

The issues that arise when you don’t clean the gutters can be severe since the rain gutters were designed to help your home’s structure. If the gutters are left clogged, you could end up with the unpleasant task of paying for some very expensive roof or home repairs.

Why gutter cleaning is important

When it rains, the water runs from your roof into the gutters and down to a designated area. Some people allow rainwater to make its way down to the stormwater system, while others have special catchment areas for gathering rainwater. No matter what you choose, it is vital that your gutters are free of blockages and obstructions at all times. If you neglect this, water will build up inside the gutters and eventually overflow. The overflowing water can get into your ceiling, inner walls, and even the inside of your windows. This can cause devastating structural damage to your home.

Source: Roof Leak Services

In areas where fires are a common hazard, gutter cleaning is an essential part of reducing this risk. Proper, regular cleaning also ensures that your gutters and downpipes last longer and eliminates common breeding areas for insects, like mosquitoes. For the most part, gutters only need cleaning once a year. However, in areas where tree growth is dense, cleaning may need to take place as often as every three or four months.

Certain gutter cleaning services go the extra mile and clean your ceiling cavity too. This reduces the risk of allergies from dust mites and removes rodent breeding areas.

If you regularly clean out your gutters, you will be able to avoid:

  • Wearing your gutters out before their time
  • The opportunity for water to enter your home unwanted
  • Debris blocking down pipes and drains
  • Creating an environment for vermin and insects like mosquitoes and mice
  • Having possible dry debris available for fuel during fire seasons

Setting a schedule for gutter cleaning

If you have a large number of tall trees that overhang your home’s roof, this can be the biggest culprit for a dirty gutter. The idea is that if you have a half a dozen trees that shed their leaves, you are going to want to clean them out at least once a year after all the leaves have fallen for the season. Although, it is recommended that you at least inspect and clean accordingly a few times a year. If you have gutter guards, you might only need to inspect the gutters annually and clean them every other year or so.

Should you clean your gutters or hire someone?

If you are physically able to clean your own gutters, then you can save yourself the additional cost of hiring someone to do it for you, and do it yourself. The task of cleaning out the gutters only requires that you have access to a pair of gloves, a hand rake or garden scoop, and a ladder tall enough to comfortably and safely reach the gutter.

If for some reason you do not wish to clean your own gutter or are not physically able to do it, then hiring someone to do the cleaning is a must. Be sure to hire someone who is either licensed to perform work on your home like a handyman or landscaper. If you do hire a professional and do not already have gutter guards in place, ask them about installing some. This will drastically reduce the need to clean the gutters as often in the future.

Professional gutter cleaning services

When calling in the professionals, these are some of the services you can expect:

  • Leaf and debris removal from the roof, gutters and downpipes
  • Gutter and downpipe flushing where necessary
  • Cleaning of the ceiling cavity
  • Checking for any damaged roof tiles while conducting roof cleaning
  • Complete waste removal once cleaning is complete
  • Gutter guards supplied and fitted
  • Ensuring your gutters are bird-proof
  • Repairs to damaged roof tiles
  • Full report on roof condition

Choosing a gutter cleaner

The most important question to ask before hiring a gutter cleaner is whether their company and all its staff are fully covered by insurance. Make sure that they follow all the safety guidelines when doing the job.

Shop around for quotes and, when doing so, make sure that each company is offering the same, or at least a similar range, of services. The cheapest option is not always the best, so make sure you read through all the terms of their service. Check if they remove the waste collected in the gutters. You may ask them to leave it behind if you want to use it as mulch. Ask them if they have a satisfaction guarantee, how soon they will be able to clean your gutters and if they offer any kind of emergency service.

Categories
Roofing

What are the different types of gutters?

A good guttering system is vital to any roof, but many homeowners know very little about the gutters that protect their home. In addition, todays gutters can come in a wide range of colours and shapes and can offer both high-profile and low-profile aesthetics for your rooftop.

What are rain gutters?

Rain gutters steer water drainage that comes off your roof away from your house to prevent water damage to the exterior of your home, the foundation of your home, the interior of your home and to your landscaping. Many people don’t realize the importance of rain gutters until it’s too late and the damage is already done. If your home doesn’t have rain gutters, you should consider having them installed to prevent damage to your house.

Source: Francos Bros Roofing

Different types of guttering systems

While all rain gutters are designed to direct water away from your home, they don’t all work the same way. Each type of rain gutter is better for different situations

  • Fascia: Fasica gutters (also known as eaves gutters) combine both the fascia and the gutter, thus eliminating the necessity to install a separate fascia system. Typically installed onto the rafters of the roof, fascia gutters are made from materials such as ColorBond or Zincalume, and can be purchased in a variety of different colours or in a traditional plain finish. They are visible, yet attractive with decorative shapes and are installed on the outside edges of the roof.
  • Box: Box gutters are called this because they’re boxed or positioned into the edge or middle of the roof in a way that is virtually invisible from below. Box gutters are typically made from stainless steel or ColorBond. You need to fit them with an overflow accessory during heavy rains, or the water will accumulate on the roof.
  • Square: Square gutters are square-shaped and are available in different sizes. They’re convenient because they can handle a high deluge of water and are typically made from heavy materials such as Zincalume, galvanised steel or ColorBond. Aesthetically, square gutters are desirable because they come in different colours and offer an attractive-looking profile for your roof.
  • Quad: Quad gutters, also called “D” gutters, are the most popular type of rain gutters. These come in low profile models for small buildings and high profile models for large buildings and work equally well on new homes and older constructions. They’re made of durable materials, such as galvanised or stainless steel, Zincalume or ColorBond, and are made to fit a variety of widths and roof profiles. Quad gutters are either slotted or without slots, but the slotted ones are popular because they’re constructed to handle water overflow.
  • Half round rain gutters: are designed for use in areas that have a lot of trees. These gutters have a “C” shaped base to prevent leaves and other debris from falling into the gutters and clogging them.
  • M-Type rain gutters are designed for use in areas that are subject to a lot of rain. These gutters have overflow slots that prevent the gutters from becoming overloaded with water during heavy downpours.
  • Smooth line rain gutters are an attractive option. These gutters have a flat mounting surface and are half rounded in the front.

Rain gutter materials

Rain gutters are most commonly made of vinyl, aluminium or other types of metal. Here are the advantages to each type of material.

  • Aluminum: is the most popular material for rain gutters. Aluminum is inexpensive, corrosion-resistant, and very lightweight. You can install it yourself if you’re handy. Aluminium rain gutters are available in a wide range of colours to match the exterior of your home.
  • Galvanised steel: Finished with a zinc coating to protect it from corrosion and rust, galvanised steel is very durable and long-lasting. However, it’s not compatible with every type of roofing material. This type requires professional installation
  • Stainless steel: rain gutters are extremely durable and will likely last the lifetime of your home. These rain gutters are expensive and require professional installation.
  • Vinyl: rain gutters are inexpensive and are easy to install yourself.
  • Timber: A timber gutter is a rainwater drainage system installed along the roof’s edge, traditionally made from timber, that channels water to downpipes. They are commonly found in older houses of a specific architectural style and require regular maintenance and periodic painting or sealing to avoid rot and deterioration.
Source: Roof Guard Pty Ltd

To resolve the issue of deteriorating timber fascia boards that can damage the guttering system, homeowners can install metal fascia over timber. Colorbond fascia is a popular choice due to its excellent durability, low maintenance requirements, and range of colours. Metal fascia over timber is easy to install and provides a hassle-free solution that supports the guttering system while adding style and value to the home’s exterior. Installing metal fascia over timber is a durable and long-lasting solution that protects the guttering system while adding an attractive finishing touch to the home.

Buying Rain Gutters

When shopping for rain gutters, keep the types and styles in mind. You want to choose rain gutters that are in your price range, look good on your home and are designed for the weather conditions in your area.

Before you make your choice, decide if you want to install coloured gutters on your roof or if youre content with basic white or black. You’ll also want to decide if you want gutters that can be seen from your roof or if you want to invest in low-profile varieties that are virtually invisible from the front of the house.