Diary of a Chartered Surveyor in Charente Maritime - Part 7 Rainwater Installations

Well that went quick, all that planning and whoosh Christmas and New Years Eve and Day is a distant memory as is most of January. Is it just me or does time go too fast for words.

 

As is the way of things had no work leading up to Christmas and whilst I returned to England, three enquiries. Mind you one was just South of Calais a nice 14 hour round trip from Charente Maritime according to my sat nav. 

 

Again cordial wishes for the New Year to one and all, now for the serious task of losing all that weight we swore we were never going to put on in the first place!

 

All our woes have been put into perspective this last week by the terrible situation in Haiti sometimes life seems crazy, unfair and unjust and words fail me when I see such devastation. I always look at the structures and think what could have been done but even with the latest technology you just can’t construct buildings to withstand natural forces of that magnitude.

 

This month is a good month to consider your rainwater installation.

 

First the gutters

 

• Are they falling gradually towards the rainwater downpipe outlets?
• Are they brackets and bracket fixings satisfactory?
• Is there any evidence of weeds growing out of them?
• Are they blocked?
• Are they holding water?
• Have the joints failed?

 

You can only really tell if they are working properly when it’s raining.

 

I must also advise caution if you are going to inspect them via ladders. Many accidents and some deaths have been caused by people using ladders; therefore refer to the internet, type in using ladders safely where there is some excellent advice.

 

Also do not lean your ladders on the gutters as you may break them or damage the seals.

 

Secondly the downpipes

 

• Are the brackets and bracket fixings satisfactory?
• Is the outlet to the gutter or swan neck at the top of the pipe leaking?
• Are they rusting, a careful feel to the edge closest to the building will tell you, don’t cut your hand or fingers though!
• What do they discharge into?

 

Finally the disposal

 

• Are you collecting the water into a butt? A must really in our region.
• Do the gutters just discharge onto the ground close to the building, if this is the case I must refer you to my earlier blog on the problems this can cause.
• Are there any cracks in the stonework, brickwork or render close to the pipes? Another sign of potential problems! If this is the case contact a Chartered Surveyor.

 

Anyway that’s it for now and as usual if anyone has any specific problems (related to property) they can telephone me on 0044- (0)7802222504 or get in touch through the website or comment on this blog.

 

Ta Ta For Now, Brian

 
Posted by: Brian Lindley on 20 January 2010