When Gutters Catch More Than Rainwater

Eaves and down pipes make a great team for managing rain and melt. They carry the water along the roof edge, and down pipes to the storm water system where it disappears from our lives. This keeps our windows and foundations dry, and helps with the upkeep of our home. However, nothing is perfect on this side of life. Those eaves troughs also make perfect magnets for windblown debris in storms. And they provide perfect transit storage for leaves from overhanging trees obstructing the system in time. When this happens the gutters block and overflow. But they are often beyond reach of homeowners.

The Blockage Can Be More than ‘Just Up There”

The first stoppage usually happens at the upper mouth of a down pipe. The debris becomes a mulch that is perfect for growing petunias. Unfortunately, it also makes for a perfect down pipe stopper, and that is where the homeowner’s problems begin. The only way to clear blocked eaves troughs and down pipes we know is getting up there, and clearing then manually. This is not a task for an inexperienced homeowner. A fall from a ladder can result in serious injury. Moreover, if your insurance decides you were being reckless, you may have no cover.

The Answer is Preventing the Blockage at Source

We cannot stop the weather from storming, and dislodging leaves and twigs from trees. By the law of averages, some of these are going to lodge in the gutters up there. However, we can reduce the likelihood by removing tree branches nearby. But what happens if this is not practical. What do we do if the debris is blowing in from a neighbour’s garden, or the tree is an important feature in our own? Gutter guards can be a semi-permanent solution. They are removable ‘sieves’ that allow rainwater through, but catch the leaves.

gutters eavestroughs calgary — Three-Inch Gutter Guard (Image Stilfehler by CC 4.0)

Gutter guards clip along top edges of eaves troughs. They help prevent debris accumulating in gutters and down pipes, and birds and rodents nesting in dry season. However, they do need cleaning out each year to prevent mulch accumulating on top of them. And so they are not the ‘permanent solution’ you may have been hoping, for when you clicked on this link.

Owning your home involves regular maintenance to protect the value of your asset. Valiant Exteriors offers full servicing and replacement of roofs, eaves, soffits, gutters, down pipes, and sidings in Calgary. Contact us now to discover more about our services. You will find us friendly, efficient, and lasting value for your money.