Will your gutters cope with this storm season?

Many gutter problems only become obvious during heavy rain. The rain usually reveals a restriction that has been building for some time.

During heavy rain, our residential plumbing team often sees the same signs: water spilling over a gutter, a damp patch spreading across a ceiling, or water pooling in one part of the yard. Leaves, silt, a blocked downpipe or a restricted stormwater line can all reduce drainage capacity.

Roof drainage is designed to move water away from the house quickly. If part of the system is restricted, it may cope during light rain but overflow when a heavier downpour puts the full system under pressure.

Checking the roof drainage before storm season gives you a chance to deal with blockages before they cause water damage.

How Melbourne’s rainfall affects roof drainage

Melbourne receives rain throughout the year, so gutters, downpipes and stormwater drains are in regular use.

Winter often brings frequent lighter rain. A partly restricted gutter or downpipe may still appear to work under these conditions because the system is not carrying a large volume of water at once.

Spring and summer can bring heavier showers and thunderstorms that place more pressure on roof drainage. The Bureau of Meteorology notes that severe thunderstorms are most common during the warmer months, although storms can occur at other times of year (Bureau of Meteorology — Thunderstorms).

A restriction that went unnoticed through winter can become obvious during the first heavy downpour. Early spring is a sensible time to check the system, after months of leaf litter and debris have had time to collect.

What can happen when gutters overflow

• Water can spill over the back of the gutter and soak the fascia or roof edge, which may eventually show up as staining or dampness inside
• Water can run down external walls and find its way into small gaps, causing damp patches or peeling paint indoors
• Water can discharge in one spot beside the house, repeatedly soaking the soil near the footings
• Silt and leaf matter can wash into downpipes and settle in the underground stormwater line

Repeated overflow is more than a nuisance. It can wet building materials and keep the soil beside the house saturated. Melbourne’s reactive clay soils change volume as moisture levels change, so concentrated wetting around the footings is something to address rather than ignore.

Checks you can make safely from the ground

• Look at the fascia and boards behind or below the gutter. Staining, dark marks or peeling paint can indicate repeated overflow.
• Look for plants or heavy build-up in the gutter. This usually means soil, leaf matter and moisture have been sitting there for some time.
• Check the area around each downpipe. A damp patch that remains long after rain can be a sign that water is not moving away properly.
• Sight along the gutter line from the ground. A visible sag can allow water to pool instead of reaching the outlet.
• During heavy rain, note where the overflow starts. Overflow at one point may indicate a blocked outlet, while overflow along a longer section can point to a fall, capacity or multiple-blockage issue.

Downpipes and underground stormwater drains

Cleaning the gutter may not solve an overflow if the downpipe or underground stormwater line is already restricted. Debris can collect further down the system where it is harder to see.

Silt, grit and broken-down leaf matter often settle where a downpipe enters the ground and at bends or junctions in the stormwater line. The restriction builds gradually and may only become obvious during heavy rain.

Do not try to test a downpipe from the roof. If water backs up around the downpipe, the same area overflows repeatedly, or the ground stays unusually wet after rain, have the stormwater line checked. A plumber can test and clear the line safely if needed.

Stormwater lines can also be affected by root intrusion for the same reason as sewer drains. Repeat blockages in the same location are a good reason to arrange a CCTV inspection.

When you need a licensed roof plumber

Cleaning helps when debris is the cause, but some faults need to be repaired:

• Rust, splits or failed joints in older guttering
• Incorrect fall, where water sits in the gutter instead of draining towards the outlet
• Too few downpipes, or downpipes that are not sized for the roof area they serve
• Problems with box gutters, which are built into the roofline and can direct overflow into the building if they cannot drain properly
• Damaged or lifted flashing around walls, chimneys, skylights or other roof junctions

Roof plumbing is licensed work in Victoria. If you have damaged guttering, incorrect fall, box-gutter problems or recurring roof leaks, a licensed roof plumber should assess the system and recommend the appropriate repair.

Check your roof drainage before the next heavy rain

Roof drainage problems are easier to deal with before a storm. An early inspection can identify blockages or damaged components before water enters the house or pools around it.

Triple Eight Plumbing handles blocked drains, hot water, burst pipes, leaking taps and general maintenance across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Submit a quote request or call us on 1300 29 27 31.