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The upkeep of gutters and downpipes on the roofs of homes is a constant and essential concern for homeowners today. In order to ensure ongoing roof protection and the good working condition of your gutters and connected pipes, it is essential to schedule regular periodic inspections of your home’s roof areas and gutter systems throughout the year.

Only by engaging experienced experts in the professional roofing and gutter systems installation, maintenance and repair industries can you be assured that your home, its roof and gutter systems are damage-free and clear of tree branch twigs, dried leaves and other debris that can clog gutters and pipes, causing hazardous water buildups that can result in serious damage to your roof and gutter systems. 

Ways in Which Old and Damaged Gutters and Downpipes Can Affect a Newly Installed Roof

If your home’s gutters and downpipes are worn-out or damaged, they can seriously affect your newly installed roofing in the following ways:

• Water Pooling Damage. Excessive pooling of water on areas of your roof can occur when gutters and drain pipes become clogged with debris and cannot drain accumulated water from your roof during and after heavy rain or snowstorms. This pooled water can result in water leaks beneath roofing materials, damaging the underlying roof structure. This excess water can also leak into the ceiling of your home’s attic or top floor, causing damage to the interiors of your rooms. 

• Moulding or Rotting of Roofing Materials. When water accumulations cannot drain from your home’s roof areas, roofing materials can become saturated and begin to develop mould and mildew. If left unattended over time, these water-soaked sections of your roof can weaken and rot, deteriorating to expose the supporting under-structure of the roof. Mould is a fungus that grows and spreads rapidly in damp or wet conditions, and this spreading mould will eventually cause irreparable damage to large sections of your roof. This may require the costly installation of an entire new roof on your home. 

• Dislodged Roof Tiles. Especially if you live in a very mild climate where attractive terracotta tiles are commonly used for roofing, you will enjoy the advantage of the adaptability of these clay-based tiles to absorbing water without being damaged and to dry out rather quickly under sunny skies. However, if your gutters and downspouts become clogged or damaged and water collects on the roof, seeping beneath the tiles, these tiles can become dislodged and fall from your roof, cracking and breaking while creating a hazard to anyone walking or standing near your home.  

By contacting our roofing installation and repairs experts at Johnson Roofing located in Albany, Auckland, NZ, and serving all surrounding regions, you can obtain top-rated inspections and maintenance for your home’s roof, gutters and downpiping. Our experienced professionals are prepared to install new roofing, repair damaged roofs and provide regular upkeep services to ensure that you always enjoy a safe, attractive and protective home roof with well-maintained and working gutters, drains, downspouts and connected piping. 

While you may be familiar with other roofing materials, you might not be with flashing. It is crucial to the integrity of your roof since it reinforces joints, valleys, walls, chimney areas and edges to prevent leaks. Flashing installs in an overlapping fashion that guarantees water cannot be trapped. Various materials are available for use as flashing. The one that is right for your house depends upon your budget, durability needed, how visible it will be and the other materials that the flashing will come in contact with on your roof. We discuss some of the best materials for flashing in the following.

Aluminium

Aluminium is a durable, versatile material and is suitable for numerous flashing locations, including in the valleys, around the chimney and at the walls or step-up areas. It comes in pre-formed shapes, sheets and rolls, so it can be customised when necessary. One advantage of aluminium is that it is a moderately priced material for flashing. Other benefits are that it is mouldable around corners or to conform to various angles and it holds its shape effectively. A downside to this material is that the uncoated version of it should not come into direct contact with mortar and cement since their alkalinity will corrode this material. In these situations, only coated aluminium should be used.

Copper

For a pricier, highly durable flashing option, turn to copper. It is resilient in all situations, including valley flashing with tile, chimney flashing, wall intersections, ridge areas and more. Copper can be fabricated into continuous, rigid custom shapes when needed. Flashing in this metal also comes in a lead-coated option as well, and this style is ideal for marine areas. With correct installation, it will last for years. Installation is easy due to the fact that it is a moderately pliant metal.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an extremely resilient flashing material and is suitable for the harshest of environments. The price of it is comparable to copper flashing, placing it in the premium category of materials for this use. Typically, it is installed for base flashing, counter flashing and valley flashing. It comes in sheet form in both 18 and 24 gauges. One major advantage of stainless steel is that it is the flashing material that is least affected by salt spray, acid rain or other environmental corrosives. Also, it can be placed right against mortar and concrete since the alkalinity of these elements will not negatively affect it. A disadvantage of this material for flashing is that it is labour-intensive to install, which increases its already expensive cost.

To learn additional facts about what the best materials are for flashing, turn to Johnson Roofing. We are specialists for the installation, repair and maintenance of roofs.