Churches are being encouraged to check the gutters. That was the main message from two workshops on the routine care and maintenance of places of worship run by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) in north Wales.

SPAB held two free sessions in Llandysilio and Caerhun in Conwy for church wardens, MAC members, Fabric Officers or members of Property Committees.

The Diocesan Churches Inspector, Ryan Marsh, who attended the training said: “The maintenance of the rainwater disposal system – gutters, downpipes, gullies, etc – is critical.  This should include routine inspection of the system in use, identifying points of failure and wants of repair.  Gutters and gullies should be cleaned at least twice a year, more often if there is a higher likelihood of blockage. These actions can reduce the need for major repairs and, critically, save money in the long-term”.

What is gutter cleaning?
The main purpose of gutters and guttering is to safely remove rainfall from the properties and whisk it away, into the drainage system. Gutters and roofs are not designed to hold standing water for lengthy periods of time.  Clogged gutters, caused by a build-up of debris, can hamper effective rainwater drainage and long term can cause expensive and preventable damage to your property.

How often should I get my gutters cleaned?
We typically recommend spring and autumn for gutter clearance, but this very much depends on the property.

• Spring, as this is the growing season, when grass seeds spring to life in any residual gutter sediment lurking in the pipes.
• Autumn, to keep of top of those falling leaves, along with moss and twigs that are being washed down with the autumnal showers. It also protects gutters through the winter season as standing water can freeze and thaw causing joints to split, causing leaks.

However, if you have a property plagued with overhanging branches, has aggressive wall climbing plants, or a north facing roof with moss build up then regular check-ups are advisable. It’s especially important to check after bad weather or strong winds as larger chunks of debris can become lodged and cause gutter blockages.

Paul Williams of D P Williams Building Services who recently cleaned the gutters at Llanynys, Llanrhaedr and Rossett Churches recommends a cleaning service with a gutter vac system.  He said: “The gutter vac is preferable to the outdated system of ladders leaning against guttering.  Regular inspections, gutter repairs and upkeep will help ensure the property is not only weather-tight on the outside – but also prevent possible damage to the inside.”

You can contact Ryan Marsh, the Diocesan Churches Inspector at Ryanmarsh@cinw.org.uk.

If your church is in need of guttering cleaning, have a look at the CADW grant information in the grants section of the website (please note closing date for applications is the end of this month.)