There is nothing particularly glamorous about gutter cleaning for a metal roof in Australia yet it is an easy way to put some protection around your home and walls. Leaves and other organic debris will clog the gutters if left to it, stopping rainwater from draining as it should. The water then backs up and over the edge, leaving the roofing to the mercy of the moisture.
I am Matthew Vale and having made my home on the Sunshine Coast I have come to appreciate that coastal weather has a habit of getting into any corner you have not attended to. To an Australian homeowner, keeping up with the gutters is good for the structural integrity of the house and its roof as well as for managing stormwater. One can be standing on the ground thinking the roof is in fine order when in fact blocked gutters are making trouble overhead.
The Case for Gutter Cleaning
You only have to have a decent downpour to see why it is necessary. With clear gutters the runoff from the roof is channeled through the downpipes. Block them and you have overflow and damp fascia boards; a soggy situation that can make its way to the ceiling and wall frames.
Metal roofing is durable enough but not invincible. The fasteners, laps and drainage points require a certain amount of maintenance. For practical metal roof growth maintenance, a gutter clogged with wet leaves is no more than a moisture trap at the edge of the roof.
Preventative Maintenance
It is far cheaper to clean out the gutters and downpipes than to be putting right water-damaged plasterboard or replacing what has corroded. You save by nipping things in the bud before the moisture gets where you can not see it.
A lot of people will look over the roof surface and let the drainage system go. Water is not going to be put off by the fact your Colorbond is in like new; if there is an obstruction in the downpipe it will find the path of least resistance.
What Blocked Gutters Will Do
The problem is not confined to poor drainage. After the rain is done, a blocked gutter can leave the fascia and brackets wet for days. That kind of exposure will bring on rust and corrosion at the fixings. Pooling water puts weight on the guttering and stress on the brackets. Should it overflow, the water can run down the outside of the house and get behind the windows or into the soil at the foundation. What was a minor blockage is now a maintenance issue for the whole property.
Water has a way of running down the walls after following the fascia and ending up in the insulation or wall frame. When you spot a brown mark on the ceiling the blockage has been there for one rain event or more.
For the Australian homeowner, maintaining a metal roof is a matter of seeing that the drainage path is unobstructed. Make sure the stormwater discharge, the downpipe connection, the outlet and the roof valley are all in working order.
On Rust And Corrosion
While gutter cleaning will not solve every problem, it goes some way to stave off rust. Rust wants moisture and exposed metal. Organic material that is wet and in contact with the roof is an invitation for deterioration. In coastal conditions salt spray and pollutants held there by sediment can hasten the process at the screw heads, flashings and cut edges.
Colorbond Steel
Maintaining a Colorbond is more than just looking at it from the driveway. The steel is coated for protection but that does not preclude sensible cleaning and timely repairs. Put down any abrasive tools that might put a scratch in the finish. Check with the manufacturer before applying harsh chemicals or trying to scrape at rust. A licensed roofer will tell you if an area calls for treatment or to be put under observation.
Dealing With The Weather
Conditions in Australia can be quite different from one region to the next. There is the wet season and cyclones to contend with in the Top End between November and April; the coasts of Queensland, NSW and Victoria have their share of strong winds and summer storms.
Make sure the gutters are clear and the downpipes are discharging as they should ahead of any bad weather. You can refer to the Bureau of Meteorology for official warnings and plan accordingly.
Expectation Versus Reality
Expectation: the gutters will do their job as the metal roof sheds the water.
Reality: the speed of the runoff will put leaves and fine debris in the gutters to form a mat over the outlets. Then a storm can force the water to go over the edge as opposed to down the pipe.
Homeowners will put in some preparations for an oncoming storm, seeing to their outdoor furniture and pot plants, yet the gutters are overlooked. It is not unlike checking your tyres and then neglecting the brakes; both are important work.
How Often To Clean Gutters
The answer to how often one should clean gutters is a function of local weather, roof design and what is around the property. For a rule of thumb, have them looked at before the year gets wettest and once more in the wake of any big storms. A house under trees will demand more regular attention than an exposed one.
I make it a point to be more vigilant in coastal Queensland following long humid spells or when there has been hard rain and wind. In the bushier suburbs leaves do not take long to accumulate. Out in the drier parts of the inland you are more likely to have dust, seed pods and the like as your problem.
| Property Conditions | Practical Inspection Pattern | What To Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy tree cover | Inspect after storms and every few months | Leaf mats, organic matter, blocked outlets |
| Coastal home | Do so after severe weather and prior to storm season | Salt residue, corrosion, overflow and loose fixings |
| Open suburban block | Twice a year at least | Dust, windblown debris and downpipe issues |
| Older metal roof | With each cleaning | Rust, damaged coatings, brittle seals and any screws that have come loose |
Telltale sign for any home is how many times you find gutter debris at the overflow between inspections. If they are full on every visit, cut back on the time in between. Let the conditions dictate the maintenance, not some date on the calendar.
Safe Ways To Clean Gutters
One could give more thought to the safety of cleaning gutters. There is a fine line with unstable ladders, slippery debris and a wet roof. Damp metal roofing is treacherous enough, made worse by a coating of fine algae or dust.
On a single-storey where access is safe, put on non-slip shoes, do not stretch from the side of a ladder and have both hands free for climbing. Make sure the ladder is on even, firm ground and well away from power lines. Walking on a metal roof is something to be done only if you know the profile and have fall protection in place.
When To Call A Professional
A steep or high roof, one that is fragile or hard to get to, or proximity to power lines calls for a licensed professional. The same applies if you are confronted with sagging gutters, roof leaks, widespread corrosion or bad flashing.
Under no circumstances should one be on the roof in the middle of a storm or with strong winds and lightning about. If there is a cyclone warning in effect, wait it out. No amount of roof maintenance is worth ending up in hospital.
- Wear the proper gloves and footwear. Put the ladder on stable ground.
- Clear the leaves and other debris in sight and use controlled water to flush the downpipes.
- See that the outlets are discharging into the stormwater system without hindrance.
- Look over the fascia boards, brackets, screws and the protective coatings on the roof edges.
- Make note of any movement, rust or leaks so they are not put out of mind.
Are Gutter Guards Worth It?
They will keep some leaves out of a metal roof gutter but do not think of them as a set and forget item. Fine debris can still make itself at home on top and in some cases complicate the cleaning of the gutter below.
Pick a product that fits the roof and the locality. You will come across aluminium or stainless-steel mesh, but see that it is compatible with the fasteners and brackets already in place. A guard that is not well fitted will leave gaps and impede the flow of water.
Choose Guards Carefully
Where large leaves are a recurring nuisance to the outlets, guards have their place. They do not help much if the downpipe is a poor drainer or the gutter is in need of repair. Address the drainage first.
Whether you are at Bunnings or talking to a roofing contractor, put some questions to them on how the system stands up to salt, fine seeds and the like. The one with the lowest price tag may not be the most economical in the long run.
Signs Maintenance Is Overdue
Some are obvious, others less so. An overflowing corner, peeling paint on the fascia or water marks under a join are all indications the drainage system wants looking at.
In the house a musty odour, damp insulation, ceiling stains or paint bubbling on an exterior wall should have you inspecting the gutters ahead of the next major storm. They are not conclusive evidence of a gutter problem but they warrant a closer look.
You will also find telltale signs in the form of fasteners gone rusty, gutters that have been drawn from the fascia, water left to pool once the rain has passed or even vegetation in the channels. Then there is metal roof growth maintenance; while it is an odd way to put it, what it comes down to is a matter of routine, unassuming care to ensure the roof performs well, not the need for any major overhauls.
Practical Maintenance Priorities
Make the gutters your first order of business if time is short, in particular those over living quarters and the roof valleys, as well as downpipes in proximity to electrical gear, doors and windows. An overflow here will be the most apparent source of damage.
Those with little ones or elderly in the home, or anyone who does not like being up high, are best to stay off the roof. A confident individual can do the work from a well placed ladder or from the ground, but this is no occasion for bravado.
- Do not proceed in strong winds or on a wet surface; wait for better weather.
- Before you get to the debris, have a look at the gutters, outlets and downpipes.
- In cleaning the drainage make sure not to put a mark on the Colorbond steel or dislodge any fixings.
- Flush it and see where the water goes.
- Leave structural movement, corrosion, unsafe access and leaks to the professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
A metal roof: should it have gutters?
In most cases. They are there to take the runoff via the downpipes and spare the walls, foundations and garden from it. The right system is a function of the building layout, stormwater needs and rainfall, so let a roofing expert decide.
What does the Australian standard say about metal roofing?
AS 1562.1 is the one for the design and installation of metal sheet cladding for roofs and walls. But requirements will vary with the product, wind region and regulations in force. It is advisable to consult a licensed professional and review the standard before undertaking anything of consequence.
Is there one big problem with metal roofs?
Not across the board. You might encounter loose fasteners, poor workmanship, blocked drains or issues with thermal expansion, and protective coatings can be compromised. Salt spray by the coast and a lack of upkeep only add to the risk.
Tell me the trick to cleaning gutters that is not so well known.
Work from the downpipe outlet in reverse. That is how you will come by the blockage impeding drainage. Once the leaves and such are out, a gentle flush of the downpipe will show you if the water is making it to the stormwater connection.
Will cleaning the gutters put a stop to every leak?
It will not. While it will prevent the kind of leak that comes from blocked drainage or overflow, it is not going to put right a cracked sheet, bad flashing or a seal that has given way. Consider it part of the overall regimen.
To get more life out of your roof
There is value in keeping the gutters clean to stave off water overflow and corrosion, and to shield parts of the property that would cost a lot to put right. It is a chance to spot a loose bracket or some rust before it becomes an emergency.
The sensible course for an Australian homeowner is plain enough: put the gutters through their paces ahead of bad weather, clear them of debris, make sure the downpipes are in order and that roof access is safe. A few checks now and again will see your metal roof in good stead for years to come, be it in a suburban setting or near the bush or the beach.
