WE UNLOCK THE BLOCK !
Down pipes are also known as down spouts and they are typically vertical elements. They are considered as means of egress for water landing on your roof. The down spout was first used in London in 1240 under the direction of king Henry who ordered the keeper of the Tower of London to protect the freshly whitewashed walls of the tower from dirty water on the walls and eroding the buildings foundations.
The importance of down-pipe unblocking
Down pipes have a 70° angle on the bottom designed to ensure that the guttering system doesn’t flood, thus water doesn’t damage the buildings foundations. In other words, without an exit point (e.g. to have blocked down pipes) the gutters quickly collect along the length side, and depending on the system of guttering, potentially the entire perimeter of your house. Water left pooled in gutters can become stagnant and a breeding ground for mosquitoes, or a safe watering hole for pigeons, possums and rodents. The excess moisture moisture resulting from trapped gutter water is essential for lichen and mold to take hold and flourish at the roof level.
Constant water in the gutter and downpipes may fast-track the degradation of the joints’ seals as well as the structure of the gutter itself. Weakened and rusted gutters may leak outside, causing overflow or sheeting on to pathways below, or into the eaves and internal cavities of your house, creating mold inside.
What are the common causes of down pipe obstructions?
Generally, the blockages themselves are always unique and sometimes complex in being multi-factorial in nature. The blocked down pipe may be as a result of ; 1) a downstream obstruction past the external gutter, 2) a down pipe system itself, 3) or off the premises. Not all blockages can be resolved. Replacement of sections or complete down pipes may sometimes be the only remedy. Our leaf it 2 us technicians can take photographs of the obstructions and provide options if the blocked down pipes are still uncleared.
Here are the most common obstructions of down pipes:
- Broken or excess cement from the roof.
- Bitumen or flashing run offs.
- Dropped fixings from roof structures (e.g. solar panels).
- Branches, twigs, excess bio-organics build up.
- Toys (e.g. metal toy cars, tennis balls).
- Paper material.
- Articles of clothing.
How we fix your blocked down pipes?
Blocked down pipes are the rogue element of the gutter system. leaf it 2us resolves the blockages for our customers and also for our competitors clearing the obstructions beyond their capabilities. The down pipe unblocking service may typically be included as part of a gutter or roof cleaning service or as a separate standalone service. If you have any concerns about your blocked down pipes, contact us today to solve your problem.