Spouting put to the test
Quality spouting is essential for keeping out water that might otherwise enter roof spaces, rot timber and spread mould inside a home. It is also one of the most effective ways to increase a building’s kerb appeal.
Streamline Spouting Systems owner Danie Van Biljon says winter is usually a busy time of replacing and repairing spouting, providing insurance assessments for damaged gutters, and fitting snow straps to others before it is too late.
However, recognition that the clean lines and coloured accents of new spouting also do a lot to modernise the look of a home is driving demand for upgrades for aesthetic purposes, too, he says.
When it comes to spouting though, performance and presentation can sometimes be at odds.
‘‘It’s usually the damage you don’t see that is most important,’’ Van Biljon says.
‘‘It might look good but if the spouting is out of alignment, the water will build up until it finds an outlet; that could be through the downpipe or overflowing into your home. People are inside when it happens so they don’t usually know.
‘‘The weight of the water also puts pressure on the brackets holding the spouting and if they’ve been damaged before, they can all pop out again in a good downpour. When the weight’s lifted, they’ll go back into shape so it can be very hard for people to see.’’
Van Biljon says snow is usually to blame for the initial damage to spouting and brackets.
Streamline Spouting Systems guards against this by reinforcing gutters with snow straps. At a cost of only a few hundred dollars for an average-size house, snow straps cost less than the excess on most insurance policies.
Free assessments, quotes and advice on insurance claims are provided across Canterbury and much of the West Coast.
For new spouting, Streamline Spouting Systems has a wide range of natural colours available, as well as copper.
Matching fascia covers can also be fitted to protect underlying timber and give homes of any age a smart new look.
For a free quote or more information, contact Streamline Spouting Systems on 03 344
5744 or 021 875 462 or visit
spouting2u.co.nz