Conservatory design can be relatively complex depending on the nature of the existing property and what requirements are necessary in order to ensure that the extension can be installed successfully.
If, for example, the roof of the conservatory will be sloping backwards towards the host wall, then a box gutter will be necessary. This type of gutter collects the water that runs off the conservatory roof and stops it from splashing back onto the wall of the house.
They can also be used in other instances, such as in bungalows, to carry the water away from both the roof of the house and that of the conservatory.
The gutters themselves come with boxed sides (hence the name) and a flat square base and, as is the case with all other types of guttering system, the aim is to prevent rain from penetrating through the doors and windows, which over time will impact the foundations of the property.
What problems are likely to arise with box gutters?
As with anything, issues with box gutter installations can raise their heads from time to time but these don’t have to be insurmountable and as long as they’re swiftly addressed as part of any regular home maintenance work, long-term or more complicated problems should not develop.
Something that you may encounter with this kind of guttering system is leakage. Leaks can appear at any point across the system, but keep a particularly close eye on the section that leads to the downspout of the roof. If leaks go unchecked here, you may find that metal corrosion starts to take place, especially in the areas that are holding water.
Also be aware that water spills can become problematic if you’re not careful. These occur when the drainage system gets blocked or if the drain isn’t strong enough to carry a certain volume of water. This then leads to overflow from the gutter itself.
Another common issue that homeowners often encounter is water running behind the box gutter. This can cause damage to the trim and make it easier for water to enter the actual property, usually the result of poor gutter design, so it’s important that you get on top of this at the design stage itself to protect your property and your investment.
Signs to look out for that indicate you may have an issue include water dripping through the trims (which can signal that you have a crack in the joints or that rust holes have developed), discolouration of the wood, trim or metal roofing, and water spots on the walls and ceilings of your home.
The right solution to your guttering issue will depend on what’s causing it, but note that some repairs aren’t effective, such as using grey liquid waterproofer, silicone or painting bitumen in the gutter. If you’d like to find out more about box gutter repairs that actually do work, get in touch with the Findons team today to see how we can help.