When you’re repairing or replacing a roof, you need to invest a lot of thought into your guttering. Having a perfect roof is one thing, but where is all the water going to go? Having a second-rate guttering system is only going to lead to more problems that will cost you more money. Getting your guttering right the first time is so important.
How do you know what guttering is right for you? Are there better materials than others? Will you get a good warranty? How much is it all going to cost? There are some good questions to ask your gutter supplier before you make the leap, and we’re here to give you the best questions to ask, and why you should ask them.
The team here at the Roofing Options Centre invite you to contact them and ask any of these questions. We’ve collected them from the hundreds of people we’ve helped over the years, and we want you to be as informed as possible about your guttering.
Questions about Materials and Customisation
What materials do you recommend for my climate?
For the changeable and harsh Melbourne climate that can include harsh, hot summers and brutal downpours in winter, we recommend Colorbond steel as the best all-round guttering material. It is well known for durability, corrosion resistance and structural strength.
Aluminium is a great alternative for coastal areas as it is rust-proof, an advantage in the salty on-shore breezes that can impact your home.
Why should you ask this question?
You don’t want someone either selling or installing a sub-par product on your home that will just need replacing in five years time. If the gutters cannot handle the conditions and climate where you live, they will degrade and cause water damage to your home.
Do you stock Colorbond gutters, and which profile suits my older home?
Roofing Options Centre carries several Colorbond gutter profiles – Quad, OG, Fascia, Feature, Roundline and Half Round. For an older home, the profile choice matters aesthetically and functionally.
Why should you ask this question?
You’ve just asked what is the best material for your climate, and we’ve suggested Colorbond. It is a perfectly fine question to follow up with, asking if we stock what we recommend.
What size guttering is appropriate?
In Melbourne, which is a higher than average rainfall centre, a 6-inch width gutter is better to catch the flow of water from your roof.
Why should you ask this question?
You ask this so you can compare your existing guttering and ensure you’re getting the right size for your region . If you install a smaller width you could possibly have overflowing gutters in a heavy downpour, and suffer water damage to your fascia, or have drains that start to fall apart from the water pressure.
Installation and Technical Questions
Will you use Screws or Clouts to Attach the Brackets?
Clouts are a form of nail used by some roofers to attach brackets to the fascia. However, screws are more secure and have superior strength and longevity.
Why should you ask this question?
The use of clouts can be a sign of someone who is not too professional in their trade. Screws are much more secure and last longer, which will save you money in the long run.
Will you Install Overflow Points?
These are essential to prevent water backflowing into your eaves during a heavy rainfall. This can cause damage and leaks into your home.
Why should you ask this question?
A true guttering professional will say yes. They want to do all they can to give you the best guttering and prevent any backwash and damage to your home.
Will you Replace the Fascia Board, or Just Attach the New Guttering to the Old Fascia?
You should not attach a new gutter to the fascia that is worn and rotted. This is asking for trouble as the gutters will collapse as the fascia deteriorates. You should have new fascia installed with the new guttering.
Why should you ask this question?
A knowledgeable gutter and roofing specialist will repair all of your roofing, including fascia. They won’t suggest a cheap option of jury-rigging new guttering to worn and broken fascia.
What do you do with my Old Downpipes?
Older homes have downpipes that are made with cast iron or PVC and won’t match up to your new gutters. So they will most likely need to be replaced. Having mismatching gutters and downpipes can cause water to back up, or your gutters to not work at peak efficiency.
Why should you ask this question?
Again, this is showing a professional willing to do the complete job. Only replacing the gutters and not the downpipes is only half the job. You want a complete gutter revamp, not half a job done.
Warranty and Maintenance
What Manufacturer Warranties Apply to the Products I’m Buying?
While Roofing Options Centre gives you the best gutter supplies in Melbourne, it is the manufacturer who has warranties on their product. We can supply you with all Colorbond warranty information when you order your product.
Why should you ask this question?
A good warranty means a manufacturer has faith in the product they’re supplying you. It also gives you peace of mind if something goes wrong.
Are you Insured and Licensed?
You need to verify that the supplier of your guttering has public liability insurance and is properly licensed.
Why should you ask this question?
If there is an accident, you will be liable for injuries and damages. Also, if you have an unlicensed person installing your guttering, chances are they’re not a legitimate contractor.
Pricing and Quality Assurance
Can I have an Itemised Quote?
A quote should detail the labour costs and the material costs, plus any specialised items required to finish the job. You should be able to query anything on the quote and have it justified by the trades people.
Why should you ask this question?
This helps you break down the costs of parts and labour. A ball park figure, or just a dollar amount with no breakdowns can hide cheap parts, or imply you’re not getting good value for money.
The Right Questions Lead You To The Right Results
Replacing or upgrading your guttering is not a small investment and not something you want to do twice. The questions above are here to help you separate the professionals from the cowboys and ensure you walk away with a guttering system that is professionally installed and will last.
At Roofing Options Centre we welcome all of these questions, and more. We stock quality Colorbond guttering for all across Melbourne and carry multiple profiles that would suit older and heritage homes. We provide full product and warranty information for you on everything we sell.
Give the team at Roofing Options Centre a call on 03 9354 2633 or browse our full range of products.
