The French climate can be varied, from hot and dry to cool and wet. Dependent on which area of France you live, the climate will create different problems for roofs and gutters.
Here in South West France, Aquitaine, moss can be a common roof and gutter problem, which is exacerbated if your property is under or near trees. Leaf and pine needle fall will block tile gulley and gutters.
Keeping your gutters free of debris will reduce the chance of problems down the line. Gutters re direct rainfall away from walls back to the ground via a downpipe. Blocked gutters will result in damp walls increasing the likelihood of mould and damp problems within the property. Water damage can require expensive restoration work.
We appreciate that most people don’t really think about their guttering, especially if involves climbing a 30ft ladder! Your guttering does need to be maintained at least once per year and in certain conditions, twice a year recommended.
TIP 1: Check and Clean
To keep your gutters maintained, give them a thorough clean. Leaves and moss being the main culprits, which will require removal. You can collect the debris in a bag, or throw on the floor to clean up after (this material is a good mulch for your garden). Loose debris will then wash away when it next rains. If you have wire protectors on top of downpipes, ensure they are free of debris. Also, inspection regards at base of downpipe- ensure they are clean, thus allowing free flow of water.
TIP 2: Maintain overhanging trees
Tree branches overhanging your roof will increase the need for regular gutter maintenance.
To avoid this, remove the suspect branches. Maybe a good idea to have a qualified tree specialist do this job, both for your safety, and the long term health of the tree.
TIP 3: Invest in your Guttering
You can invest in gutter guards, although I note these are not readily available in this region of France. {south-west}. The guards allow water to enter gutter but prevent larger debris.
Ensure your guttering is correctly fixed so rainwater collection and flow is directed towards downpipe, and there are no leaks in gutter joints or downpipes.
Ensure the ends of roof tile gulley just above gutter are not blocked with moss.
TIP 4: Repair any damage
Damaged gutters will not perform as designed, which is to take water away from the building. Waterfalls over the gutter or leaking down pipes will overtime damage the fabric of your property.
Small leaks or seepage can be repaired using a specialist mastik. Maybe the gutter brackets may require adjustment if water is not being efficiently collected.
Maybe, expert help is required. If the gutters are inaccessible without use of a long ladder, then caution is required.
TIP 5: WE can Help You
Prevention is the key when it comes to your gutters, which is why we recommend regularly inspection and cleaning. If the thought of dusting the ladder and climbing 30ft to check and clean the gutters does not appeal, then give VizionVerte a call to see what we can do to help. Our specialised equipment can quickly check your gutters, and safely clean them.
If you do decide to brave the ladder, please ensure it is safely erected before climbing, and a second person is available to ensure your safety.