AN expert has revealed a key house check that must be made before winter, or it could cost you £1,000s.
It feels like a long way away but the cold winter months will soon be fast approaching.
Households could face higher bills if they don’t clear their roof gutterGetty
Bills will increase despite already being sky high and households should make sure their homes are winter ready before the season hits.
One way to do that is by clearing the gutters on your roof, according to Tim Phillips, quantity surveyor at Quantiv and the Homebuilding & Renovating Show.
He said: “Autumn is an ideal time to start examining and cleaning your gutters.
“The majority of trees and shrubs will have started to drop their leaves by this time, minimizing the likelihood of new debris blocking the gutters.
“It’s also a good time to check before the traditional wetter winter arrives.”
If you do it yourself, Tim said it’s important to keep safe by using a strong and sturdy ladder.
But paying for a professional gutter clearing service could cost you between £40 and £200 depending on the size and amount – this is extensively less than the charges you could face if you avoid it completely.
Water damage
Tim said that if households avoid clearing their roof gutters, then their home could suffer serious damage.
He explained: “Water damage to your property is one of the most serious concerns.
“Water may overflow and seep into your roof, walls, and foundation when gutters become clogged with leaves, debris, or ice.
“This can result in structural damage, mould growth, and expensive repairs.
For example, if your whole house becomes infected with mould, you could end up paying around £1,790 (on average) to get it removed.
If you have a flat roof and it needs to be completely repaired, then it could cost you £220 per square meter, according to CheckATrade.com.
While a pitched roof with slate and felt could cost households £465 per square meter.
The housing expert added: “Even a tennis ball can cause a problem by blocking the overflow to your downpipe, causing water to flow down the walls of your house, coupled with freezing weather this can lead to your render cracking, causing more damage and repair costs.”
Ice build-up
On top of water damage, Tim added that icy buildup can also cause damage
He said: “During the winter, water trapped in blocked gutters can freeze.
“Because of the ice, the gutters will get heavy, bow and potentially break from the fascia board.
“It can also generate ice dams on your roof, which can damage the roofing materials and allow water into your home.”
Damage could cost you £1,000s
Tim said that if households avoid clearing their gutter, then you may have to fork out a big chunk of cash.
He said: “Repairs may be required if your gutters are sagging or bowing, pulling away from the fascia & soffit boards, or have minor joint leaks.
“Gutter repairs can range in price from £50 to £500, depending on the level of the damage and the materials required.”
He explained that if blocked gutters have caused roof damage, such as rotten wall plates, battens, felt or rafters, the cost may be even higher.
Tim said: “Roof repairs can cost anywhere between a few hundred pounds and several thousand pounds, depending on the seriousness of the damage and the type of roofing materials required.
“Also consider that additional damage could present itself in the form of mould or damp to inner walls, electricity issues where water may penetrate services and erosion of foundations regular gutter cleaning and inspection, will prevent many of these repair costs in the first place.”
Increase in energy bills
You may also want to bear in mind that gutter damage could increase your energy bill costs.
Tim said: “Gutter blockages can indirectly lead to an increase in energy expenditure, mostly by affecting your home’s insulation and ventilation.
“When gutters become blocked and water overflows, it can saturate your home’s external walls and insulation.
“If your insulation gets wet, it will work less effectively and as a result, your heating system will have to work harder and longer to keep your home at a reasonable temperature, resulting in increased energy expenditures.
“Excess moisture which is present in the home due to the water bridging the cavities an/or solid walls can cause greater levels of indoor humidity.
“When your home is very humid, even at the same temperature, it can feel cooler.
“You will therefore have to raise the temperature of your heating system to maintain comfort.
“It’s difficult to predict how much your energy bills will rise as a result of lack of gutter maintenance, because it depends on various factors, including the degree of the blockage, the effectiveness of your heating system, and the weather in your area.”
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