The Lower Mainland and other parts of the province have experienced extreme rainfall in the past 24 hours. Since it’s November, you know there’s more rainstorms on the way. While it’s dry and sunny today, inspect the gutters and downspouts for any damage that might need your immediate attention.
Begin at the Top
Start your inspection with the roof. You might not need to actually climb onto the roof: use binoculars first, either from the ground or standing on a ladder. Look for:
- Debris that won’t be blown away by the wind – leaves, twigs, etc. trapped in roof valleys and snagged around flashings or roof installations such as a skylight
- Broken tree limbs or large branches
- Missing roofing tiles
- Damage to the soffit and fascia – soffit not repaired can lead to leaks
- Compromised flashings – loose hardware, curling edges, gaps
After heavy rainstorms, it’s important to investigate the debris that has landed on top of the shingles – it could be hiding damage you couldn’t see through the binoculars. If you can safely get on the roof, remove the debris. Check for “bald spots” on shingles where the protective coating has been worn away; exposed roof decking; and stains that appear to have “soaked” into the roof shingles.
Even when it appears that there is no damage beneath a thick cover of leaves, if you can sweep off the roof, it will prevent the debris from landing in the gutters.
Inspect the Gutter System
Inspect the gutter run for dents, missing gutter section, or loose brackets and screws.
Ensure there are no missing brackets from the downspouts. Tighten any loose hardware. If the downspouts have been disconnected from the wall or the gutter outlet, refasten or reattach.
Once the outside of the gutter system has been inspected for damage, check the inside of the gutters for debris, particularly around the gutter outlet. Look for clogs at the end of the downspouts where the water exits.
If you have scheduled a professional to clean the gutters or you plan on gutter cleaning later in the fall once all of the leaves have fallen, remove the larger pieces of debris from the gutters and the downspouts now. Doing a quick clean-up will minimize the problems clogs cause.
When most of the materials that can cause clogs have been removed use a garden hose to run water through the gutter system to check for leaks.
Do a Little Yard Work
Rake the yard to remove broken branches, twigs, bits of debris and other miscellaneous objects that the windstorm deposited in your yard. These can become projectiles that dent siding, chip glass window panes, or dent siding.
After heavy rainstorms and active windstorms, trees on your property should be assessed as to how much of a threat they pose. Check for uprooted trees, exposed root systems, or leaning trees. A leaning or fallen tree should be removed as soon as possible.
Inspect trees, shrubs, and bushes growing close to the house. Trim back any branches near the roof, gutters or siding.
Check garbage and recycling bins to see that they haven’t been turned over or blown to another part of the yard.
Ensure other parts of your landscaping are secure – rocks from the rock garden haven’t been “relocated”; the front gate still works; a retaining wall remains standing.
