Here comes April showers

As the long winter nights begin to fade, the warmer and lighter days are fast approaching. Spring is such a beautiful time of year for many reasons, but in the UK we all know that Spring weather can be very unpredictable. As we gladly say goodbye to the winter chill, along come the April showers.

With an average of around 60mm of rainfall across the country, April is one of the wettest months of the year in the UK. One minute it’s all sunshine then, before you know it the rain is falling fast. April showers come in sporadic bursts, unexpected and unpredictable. These random flurries can often see a torrential downpour in one place while just a short distance down the road remains totally dry.

According to the Met Office, the UK's total rainfall has increased by around 5% since the early 20th century. Some years we can receive even more rainfall than usual for example, in 2018, the UK experienced the fifth wettest spring on record, with rainfall totals well above the long-term average.

With this in mind, it is important to make sure that our homes are prepared to cope with the deluge which they may be subjected to.

How do April showers affect your home?

The guttering system on your house is designed to protect the fabric of your home from the impact of rain by directing it away from the structure of the building into a drainage system. The most important thing to take into consideration at this time of year is, whether your guttering is designed well and up to standard to handle the volume of water that might occur in a short amount of time.

It’s not only about the gutter itself but whether the whole rainwater drainage system is adequate to cope with a torrential downpour. There are however ways to ensure you are prepared.

Consider sizing up

If you find you live in an area where rainfall is increasing, you may want to consider installing larger gutters to increase capacity. During heavy rainfall, water can quickly overwhelm your system if it the guttering is too small or not sloped correctly, leading to overflowing. Sizing up ensures you aren't subjected to a tidal wave of rainfall escaping the gutter just as you are trying to unlock your door with an armful of shopping bags. In spots where multiple roof slopes meet, an overflow protector can provide added protection.

It's important to also ensure that downpipes are appropriately sized and placed to handle the volume of water flowing through the gutters. It may be an option to install additional downspouts to improve water drainage or increasing the diameter of the pipe. Lindab's rainwater system experts can provide rainflow calculations to help ensure that your gutters and pipes are appropriately sized to cope even in a storm.

Give your guttering a service

Much like your car needs an annual service to keep it at its best, your guttering should be checked once a year and there's no time better than spring to give your guttering an MOT.

After a winter with periods of heavy snowfall you should check to see if brackets have come away from the roofline. If your guttering is not properly secured or is already weakened, the pressure of heavy rainfall can cause it to sag or pull away from the building. Simply refix any loose brackets or switch them out for a heavy-duty alternative. With Lindab Rainline, our fascia brackets are manufactured in heavier grade steel in order to properly support the full system when secured to your home.

One of the most common things that can happen if your gutters are not properly maintained is that blockages can form causing water to build up and overflow which can damage your home. To prevent this, it's important to keep your gutters clear of debris. Installing gutter brushes is a solution which can take care of this throughout the year. A gutter brush will sit within the gutter, allowing water to flow through the bristles whilst catching debris on top of the brush and allowing it to blow away once it dries out.

You should also give your guttering a good clear out once a year and wipe down the steel to prevent damage to the metal and keep it looking it's best for when the sun is shining and the rainbows appear.

Summer is right around the corner.

Heavy rainfall during spring is a natural occurrence that comes around every year but making some small changes can ensure we are more prepared. It is important for homeowners to be prepared for the potential impacts of Spring weather and to take steps to mitigate its negative effects where possible so we can make the most of the many positives that Spring brings.

Now we know all about Spring and the changes that we can make to ensure our homes are ready for April showers, it won't be long until we will be talking all things Summer and how the sun can effect your guttering.