Appropriate Maintenance and Cleaning Methods for each of our Metal Guttering ranges.: Copper Guttering

Copper gutters can last a very, very long time and require very little maintenance. But to keep them working efficiently, they will need to be kept free of debris.

If you’ve just become a homeowner you might not be aware a particular annual activity that you are now obliged to undertake: cleaning your gutters. It is a necessary task. A good time to do this is at the end of autumn when most of the leaves have fallen off the trees.

How to clean metal guttering safely:

1.Let the professional do the hard work?

Many local companies offer gutter maintenance and cleaning services, so you do not have to climb to the dizzy heights of your roofline yourself. In addition, the professionals already have all the best equipment. They can spot any areas requiring repairs immediately, and being well practiced, they are usually much faster.

But if you insist on doing it yourself here are the things we recommend:

2. To prevent damage to the guttering DO NOT ever lean a ladder against the guttering itself

Instead always use a 'ladder stand-off':

Ladder stand-off means the ladder rests on the brickwork or building facade and not the gutter which is not designed to take the weight of a person leaning on it.

3. Ensure gutters and downspouts are clear and free from any blockage.
Using gloved hands or a gutter trowel, remove any leaves and debris from the gutters and drop them in a bag or bucket that you can easily carry down the ladder and get rid of appropriately afterwards.

DO NOT flush debris down outlets.

4. For a downpipe that has been blocked (by debris flushed down through the outlet from the gutter), buy a drainage rod, available from most hardware shops, then push through from above.

5. Apply cold or warm (less than 50°C) water mixing in a little eco-friendly, solvent-free detergent or degreasant to the exterior surface to maintain its aesthetics.

6.If possible, leave the detergent solution on the surface for approximately 15 minutes.

7. If pressure washing, the head of the water lance should be kept at least 500mm away from the surface at all times, and the pressure should be restricted to less than 1500psi.

8. GENTLY brush or wipe the external surfaces after the detergent has been applied, to remove any areas of dirt.

9. Do not ever use abrasive pads or brushes*:

*The process that turns the Copper from shiney warm red, to dull brown, then to verdigris is the surface molecules being sacrificed to protect the core, so you should never try to impede the process by trying to retain the shiny surface.

10. Finally, Rinse the internal & external surfaces with clean, cold water.

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