Maintaining My Home

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

straighten gutter if possible, otherwise replace, ensuring there is sufficient fall. There is no minimum fall given for external gutters generally in the Building Code. Guttering manufacturers in New Zealand recommend a range of minimum falls for their products, from 0.5 mm per metre to 2 mm per metre (the latter for metal eaves gutters). A slightly greater fall than these minimums is recommended where possible

add new brackets. Brackets securing the guttering may be internal (hidden) or external, depending on the materials and 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 where snowfall is possible, but check what the manufacturer recommends

check that the gutter and outlets are clear or leaves or other debris. If there are blockages from the leaves of trees overhanging the roof, consider removing the branches that cause the problem, or removing or replacing the tree

if water cannot drain because the gutter was not installed properly, reinstall as described in the first repair above, ensuring there is sufficient fall

check the brackets are close enough together. Brackets in areas of snowfall, high wind or where hail is not uncommon should generally be no greater than 300 mm apart

in areas of significant snowfall, install snow straps at a maximum 600 mm centres. Proprietary snow guards are also available to stop gutters filling with snow