What Are The Common Problems With Eavestroughs?
Before we get started, why do you need an eavestrough system at your home? An eavestrough system is used to guide rain water safely off the roofs though things such as downspouts. The system basically channels this water away from the building to safe place. Depending on where you live, this water can be channeled into a storm drain, main drain or even right onto the lawn. Unfortunately like all other systems installed in a building, the eavestrough systems also are prone to issues and if not swiftly handled, the resultant damages can be very expensive to reverse. Here are some of these problems in details.
Water blockage
This is one of the commonest issues for building owners that have eavestroughs on the roof of their properties. Water blockage is normally caused by uncontrolled dirt accumulation or debris such as shingle pieces and leaves finding their way into the eavestrough system. Sagging eaves or loose joints within the system also can hinder the free flow of water.
Eavestroughs that are slightly sagging fortunately can be repaired by realigning them. This is done by either repositioning the existing bracket or nailing in a loose spike. The repairer should however be careful not to move the eavestrough too much as there is a danger of the alignment at the joints being pushed off the course. Some strings or wires should be used around the eavestrough and then attached onto a nail on the roof to safely secure it. Remember that this is only a temporary solution because eventually the whole problematic section will have to be taken down and replaced if necessary.
If a sagging eavestrough is in a relatively good shape, simply have it straightened out and re-attached back into the roof. After re-attaching the problematic eavestrough, some tests need to be conducted so as to ensure that water is freely flowing and not forming puddles down the system. This test also determines whether water is leaking out in some spots on the eavestrough system.
Pinhole leaks
This is another common issue with eavestroughs that also need to be addressed as soon as it is noticed. Pin holes can easily be sealed with sealants such as silicone. There are kits available that can be bought for addressing these sorts of issues. However, patching a pinhole with silicon is only a temporary solution, meaning that in due course, the whole problematic section of the eavestrough will have to be replaced to effectively fix the issue.
Lose joints
Galvanized eavestroughs are the types that are mostly affected by this issue. If you notice loose joints, they must be soldered back to effectively remedy the issue. After having your eavestrough system repaired, it is now time to have it painted afresh or re-painted. This step applies to all types of eavestrough systems. Galvanized gutters and eavestroughs have to be painted on the inside and outside.
However, the eavestrough system has to be dry before any painting work could go commence. Though there are a number of specific paints that are recommended for eavestroughs, the normal house paint can also be applied. Note however that a primer must be applied first before application of the said standard house paint. New eavestroughs must be allowed to weather for at least six months before any paint work could be done on them. If you would rather not wait for six months for the eavestrough to weather, then add some vinegar and water solution to degrease the metal to allow for painting.
How do you test if a newly repaired eavestrough is correctly draining water?
It should be noted that a properly functioning eavestrough drains water down a line at 6mm per liter. To test this, have the repair person or anyone else for that matter, to pour some water at one end of the eavestrough using a bucket. Carefully watch the water as it flows down the line and you will soon see if there are any problems. If water is found pooling in certain sections of the eavestrough, then the whole system will need to be readjusted.
Avoiding water around the immediate perimeter of your house
To prevent water from flowing into the immediate perimeter of your house, things such as dry wells and splash block need to be employed. They all are used to draw water away from the building after shooting out down the downspout.
All in all, proper eavestrough maintenance consists of regular visual inspection and cleaning at least once every six months. Visual inspections are used for checking for things such as lose joints, misplaced spikes and leaks. This in simple terms is the inspection of the integrity of the whole system. With the right maintenance and care, your eaves should last for many years to come while safely keeping excess rain water flowing away from your house or property for that matter.