Gutter clear rental in Newton Abbot

### The Tenant Damp Complaint

Phone call from your tenant: **there's damp on the bedroom wall.**

You arrange a visit. The damp patch is spreading. Wallpaper's peeling. There's that musty smell starting.

Walk outside and look up. **Gutters are overflowing.** Been like that for months probably, water cascading down the wall every time it rains.

One blocked gutter = hundreds in damp repairs. Should've just cleared the bloody gutters.

> 💡 **Pro tip:** Preventative gutter maintenance costs £85-160. Fixing damp damage costs £500+. Plus unhappy tenant, possible deposit disputes, property off-market for repairs. Clear the gutters.

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### Why Gutter Clearing Matters for Rentals

Blocked gutters aren't cosmetic - they cause actual damage.

| ✅ Clear Gutters | ❌ Blocked Gutters | |-----------------|-------------------| | Water drains to downpipes and away | Overflows down walls | | No damp penetration | Damp patches, mould, damage | | Tenant happy and dry | Tenant complaining | | Property maintained | Looks neglected |

Plus: **blocked gutters are heavy**. Eventually they sag, brackets fail, whole sections can come down. Then you're replacing guttering not just clearing it.

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### What You Get

**🔧 Complete Gutter Clearing**

**🍂 Guttering** - All gutters cleared of leaves, debris, moss - Outlets to downpipes unblocked - Gutter run tested with water - Sagging or damaged sections noted

**💧 Downpipes** - All downpipes checked and cleared - Blockages removed (usually leaves/moss) - Water flow tested - Damaged pipes noted

**🗑️ Waste Removal** - All debris bagged up - Removed from site (or bagged for your bin) - Garden tidied of any dropped material

**📸 Problem Reporting** - Photos of any damage found - Cracked gutters, broken brackets reported - Recommendations for repairs needed - Before/after photos of cleared gutters

**📦 You're Left With** - Gutters clear and flowing - Downpipes unblocked - Debris gone - Report on any issues found

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### Pricing Guide

| Property Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay | |---------------|----------------|------------| | Small terraced house | 1.5-2 hrs | **£85-£110** | | Semi-detached / 2-bed house | 2-2.5 hrs | **£110-£135** | | Detached house / 3-bed | 2.5-3 hrs | **£135-£160** |

*Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Properties with conservatory gutters or awkward access may take longer.*

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### When Gutters Need More Than Clearing

Sometimes I clear gutters and find problems underneath:

**Common gutter issues:** - **Cracked sections** - common on old cast iron or brittle plastic - **Broken brackets** - gutters sagging because fixings failed - **Corroded joins** - leaking where sections meet - **Damaged downpipes** - cracked or split, especially on old cast iron

I'll report what I find. You decide whether to repair now or later. But clearing gutters often reveals why they're blocked - damaged sections trap debris.

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### Frequency: How Often Should You Clear Them?

**Twice a year** (ideal): - Spring (after leaf fall and winter debris) - Autumn (after main leaf fall, before winter rain)

**Once a year** (minimum): - Autumn, before winter - Stops winter rain causing damp

**Quarterly** (if needed): - Properties surrounded by trees - Lots of moss on roof - Previous blocking problems

Regular clearing is cheaper per visit than emergency clearance when gutters have been ignored for years.

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### Different Property Types, Different Gutter Challenges

**Victorian/Edwardian properties** (common in Newton Abbot): - Often have cast iron guttering - Higher rooflines need longer ladders - Ornate brackets and fittings - Cast iron can be fragile when old

**Modern properties:** - Plastic guttering (lighter, easier) - Usually lower, more accessible - Simpler to clear - But plastic can crack if neglected

I've cleared gutters on all Newton Abbot property types - the old terraces in St Thomas, Victorian villas in Heavitree, modern estates in Cranbrook. All need different approaches.