Damaged or cracked plastic (PVC) guttering

Cause

Ladders leant against the gutter 

Repair

  • when working at height, always let someone know. Ensure the access ladder is safe and is securely set up on stable ground. Some ladders have a standoff bracket which means that they don’t have to be rested against the guttering. It is always safer to work from a platform such as scaffolding rather than leaning out from the top of a ladder

  • remove the damaged section(s) of gutter by cutting with a fine tooth saw. With proprietary PVC systems, ready-made connectors and replacement lengths of gutter are available and are generally welded together with solvent cement. A new section of gutter can be cut to the required length with a fine tooth hack saw and mitre box to keep the cut square.

  • replace any damaged brackets. Brackets securing the guttering may be internal (hidden) or external, depending on the guttering profile. Fix with stainless steel fixings at least 20 mm long. Brackets should be generally no greater than 500 mm apart, or 300 mm in areas of high wind or in areas where snowfall is possible, but check what the manufacturer recommends

Cause

Insufficient allowance for expansion/contraction due to temperature changes

Repair

  • repair damaged gutter as above, but also install proprietary expansion joints or expansion outlets in the guttering. Just slide the spouting into these – to allow for movement, do not fix these with solvent cement

Cause

Expansion joints poorly installed or absent

Repair

  • repair damaged gutter as in the first repair above, but also install proprietary expansion joints or expansion outlets in the guttering. Just slide the spouting into these – to allow for movement, do not fix these with solvent cement

Cause

Insufficient number of brackets to resist wind or snow loads

Repair

  • repair damaged gutter as in the first repair above, but ensure there is a sufficient number of brackets and they are close enough together. Fix with stainless steel fixings at least 20 mm long. Brackets should be no greater than 500 mm apart (300 mm in areas of high wind or in alpine areas where snowfall is possible)

Cause

Guttering and/or brackets are at the end of their serviceable life

Repair

  • replace guttering and brackets. There are good proprietary systems available which are not difficult for competent homeowners to install