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Rainwater and drainage solutions this Winter
As the weather becomes colder and the days are shorter, it’s important to ensure that rainwater and drainage outlets on properties are up to the task of dealing with the increased rainfall and the drop in temperature. November 2022 has been a particularly harsh month for rainfall, and this period of such heavy rain will have been tough on drainage systems.
But do homeowners understand what their options are in terms of preventing any damage that might be caused by harsh weather throughout the year?
In this blog, we will look at the impact of not preventing water damage to property, and some of the best options for rainwater and drainage solutions to minimise the chances of this damage.
The importance of rainwater and drainage solutions
One of the most important things that home-owners can do to protect their property from the UK’s unpredictable weather, is for them to make sure that they have the appropriate rainwater and drainage solutions in place. This includes ensuring that their gutters and downpipes are in good condition.
Gutters may not be a glamourous subject when it comes to homeownership, but they really do play an important role in the maintenance and upkeep of a building. Guttering that is not maintained, and instead becomes clogged with leaves, moss and debris from the roof, can cause severe issues.
When rain-water cascades off the roof and into a clogged gutter (or no gutter at all), it leaves no route for the water to travel and will then overflow rather than flowing into the downpipes and into the drainage system below. It will then pour down the walls and onto the ground. If water is allowed to pool around the foundation of the property, it can then seep into cracks and cause untold damage.
This damage may just be to the general aesthetics or the surroundings of the property – the patio, lawn or flowerbeds below. The fascias or the paintwork of the property may also be effected, or the added moisture could encourage moss and mould to grow on the exterior. In worse case scenarios, the rainwater could cause erosion around the house and effect the foundations of the property.
Water damage is one of the most serious threats to home foundations, and if left unchecked, it can cause major structural damage, and in extreme cases, it can lead to total collapse. Whilst this is rare, taking steps to prevent water damage by implementing proper drainage around the perimeter of the property, will minimise the chances of any damage at all, and will ensure the foundations of the building are protected.
Gutters and Downpipes
Installing robust gutters and downpipes around the roofline of all property will play a vital role in collecting water and channelling it elsewhere. It can be sent to a drain below or simply, and effectively, collected into a water butt for use in the summer months when there is less rainfall. Guttering isn’t essential around the entire house, but is imperative on the downslope of the property.
Regular cleaning of gutters and downpipes is the best way to prevent problems from occurring, but it is a relatively simple task that is often overlooked. Replacing damaged guttering is also essential. If left cracked and in disrepair, the water will seep through the cracks, down the walls and to the ground below.
At Edge Building Products, we sell a range of rainwater & drainage solutions including both domestic & industrial PVC guttering and more traditional steel, cast iron style, and aluminium guttering.
When it comes to durability, both metal guttering and PVC guttering can last for decades, with PVC gutters perhaps needing to be replaced a few years before aluminium guttering would. For houses that are more exposed to the elements, metal guttering may be more suitable as steel, iron and aluminium will be able to withstand extreme weather conditions such as high winds and heavy snowfall. On the other hand, PVC guttering is much simpler to install, and is considerably cheaper. Please do ask us for advice on which guttering might be more suitable for your clients’ needs.
In addition to providing the guttering and downpipes themselves, Edge sell rainwater accessories in a variety of sizes, including gutter balloons, which are installed over the pipe outlets in the gutter to prevent leaves from blocking the downpipes, and gutter guards which can simply clip together and fit in either round or square guttering. Our Gutter brushes (which are sometimes known as ‘hedgehogs’ due to their prickly appearance) are a cost-effective solution for guttering and can be simply laid into the gutter. The bristles stop any leaves building up and causing blockages and although the guttering will still need clearing and cleaning, blockages are less likely.
In addition to these solutions, Edge can help with the appropriate screws, brackets and rainwater adaptors, ensuring everything needed for a property’s drainage can be sourced from one centralised place.
Ensuring that homeowners are aware of rainwater and drainage options will mean their properties are up to the task of dealing with the increased rainwater this winter. Cold and wet weather can be tough on drainage systems, so it’s important that your clients are aware of the options for preventing any damage, rather than trying to deal with the effects thereafter.
Edge Building Products have trade counters in Chichester, Horsham and Crawley and are widely recognised as a leading supplier of low maintenance building products for the trade. Our range focuses on exterior fittings including roofline products, external cladding, windows, doors and the rainwater systems outlined here.
We have a broad range of products and we pride ourselves on offering excellent and knowledgeable customer service which includes next day delivery, convenient opening times and onsite advice.
For more information on our rainwater and drainage systems please visit one of our counters, or phone 0345 021 3333.