The complete guide to gutter inspections
What a professional gutter inspection covers
A thorough gutter inspection examines every component of the rainwater system from roof edge to ground level. Here is exactly what our inspectors look for on each element, and why it matters.
Starting at the gutter channel itself, we check for debris accumulation, silt build-up, vegetation growth and standing water. Standing water in any section indicates either a blocked downpipe or an incorrect fall — the gutter should drain completely between rain events. We check the material condition of the gutter channel: for uPVC, we look for cracks, warping, discolouration (indicating UV degradation) and brittleness; for aluminium, we check the powder coating for chips, scratches and any signs of substrate corrosion; for cast iron, we assess the paint system, look for surface rust, and check for cracks and frost damage.
Joints are examined individually. On uPVC systems, we flex each joint gently to check for gasket integrity — a properly sealed joint should feel snug, while a failed gasket allows noticeable movement and may show watermarks or mineral deposits from past seepage. On cast iron, we check the putty and bolt condition at each joint, looking for cracked putty, corroded bolts and any signs of past leaking. On aluminium, we inspect the mastic seal line for continuity and adhesion.
Brackets are tested for security. We check each bracket is firmly fixed to the fascia, with no rotation, rocking or looseness. We measure the spacing between brackets and flag any areas where the spacing exceeds the recommended maximum for the material (600mm for uPVC, 900mm for aluminium, 900–1000mm for cast iron). Loose or missing brackets are a common cause of sagging, which leads to standing water and accelerated joint failure.
The fall of each gutter run is assessed — every run should have a consistent gradient of roughly 1:350 to 1:600 towards the nearest outlet. We check this visually by observing whether water remnants sit in the channel, and where necessary we use a spirit level to confirm. Incorrect fall is a surprisingly common finding, particularly on properties where guttering has been refitted during roofline work without recalculating the gradient.
Downpipes are inspected from top to bottom. We check the swan neck for blockage risk, examine each clip for security, look for cracks or damage along the pipe run, and inspect the shoe and its connection to the underground drain or splash block. Where accessible, we also visually check the underground drainage connection for signs of backing up, root intrusion or collapse.
Fascia boards and soffits are assessed as part of the inspection because their condition directly affects the guttering — a rotten fascia cannot hold brackets securely, and failed soffits compromise roof-space ventilation. We note any areas of rot, damage, peeling paint or detachment and include them in the report.
- Gutter channel — debris, standing water, material condition, cracks, UV degradation
- Joints — gasket integrity, sealant condition, evidence of past leaking
- Brackets — security, spacing, fixings to fascia, signs of loosening or corrosion
- Falls — gradient towards outlets, standing water indicating low spots
- Downpipes — swan neck condition, clip security, pipe integrity, shoe and drainage connection
- Fascias and soffits — rot, damage, paint condition, ventilation provision
CCTV downpipe and drainage inspection
When a gutter overflows despite the gutter being clear, or when water pools persistently at the base of a downpipe, the problem is often below ground — and invisible without specialist equipment. Our CCTV drain camera service provides a definitive diagnosis by visually inspecting the full bore of downpipes and underground drainage, identifying the exact nature and location of any obstruction or defect.
The CCTV camera is a small, waterproof unit mounted on a flexible rod that can be fed through downpipes, swan necks, underground pipes and drain runs. It transmits a live colour image to a monitor, and we record the footage for inclusion in the inspection report. The camera head has built-in LED lighting and can navigate bends, junctions and changes in pipe diameter.
Common findings during CCTV downpipe surveys include partial blockages from sediment or debris that was not visible from above, internal corrosion and scale build-up reducing the effective bore, tree root intrusion through joints in underground clay pipes, displaced or fractured underground sections (common on older vitrified clay drains), and connections where the downpipe meets the underground drain that have failed or become disconnected.
The CCTV footage is timestamped and distance-measured, so we can pinpoint the location of any defect precisely — for example, "root intrusion at 3.4 metres from the downpipe shoe, at the junction between the connecting pipe and the main drain run." This precision means any subsequent repair work can be targeted exactly where it is needed, avoiding unnecessary excavation and keeping costs to a minimum.
We recommend CCTV inspection for any property experiencing recurring gutter overflow that is not resolved by cleaning, for pre-purchase due diligence where the rainwater drainage condition is unknown, and for any situation where underground drainage appears to be failing. The survey typically takes one to two hours and provides definitive answers that visual inspection alone cannot deliver.
- Flexible waterproof camera inspects full bore of downpipes and underground drains
- Live colour footage recorded for report and client reference
- Identifies blockages, corrosion, root intrusion, cracks, displaced joints and disconnections
- Distance-measured and timestamped for precise defect location
- Recommended for recurring overflow, pre-purchase surveys and suspected drainage failure
Seasonal timing — when to inspect your gutters
The timing of a gutter inspection affects what you find and what you can prevent. Different seasons reveal different issues, and the optimal inspection schedule depends on your property, its surroundings and the age of the guttering system.
Autumn (October to November) is the most important time for gutter attention, but it is better suited to cleaning than inspection. The gutters are full of leaves and debris, which obscures the condition of the underlying system. An inspection carried out during leaf fall may miss a cracked section or failed gasket hidden under a mat of decomposing leaves. However, an autumn visit does reveal how well the system copes with heavy debris loads and whether downpipes are prone to blocking.
Late winter to early spring (February to March) is the ideal time for a thorough condition inspection. The winter weather has tested the system at its hardest — heavy rain, frost, ice, wind and temperature extremes have all done their work. Any weaknesses in the system will have manifested as leaks, sag, cracks or overflow during the winter months. The gutters are also relatively clear of debris at this time, so the inspector can see the gutter channels, joints and brackets clearly without obstruction.
Summer inspections are useful for checking the effects of thermal expansion on uPVC systems. High temperatures cause uPVC to expand significantly, and if expansion joints are missing or improperly fitted, the expanding gutter can buckle, lift off brackets, or force joints apart. An inspection during a warm spell reveals these issues at their most pronounced.
For properties being purchased, a gutter inspection should be carried out regardless of the season. Buyers need to know the condition of the rainwater system before committing, and any deficiencies can be factored into the purchase negotiation. We provide pre-purchase gutter inspection reports formatted to accompany the building survey, giving the buyer a complete picture of the system's condition and estimated costs for any needed work.
- Autumn — best for cleaning and checking debris management; poor for condition inspection
- Late winter / early spring — ideal for condition inspection after winter stress-testing
- Summer — useful for checking uPVC thermal expansion and movement issues
- Pre-purchase — carry out regardless of season; report formatted to accompany building survey
What the inspection report tells you
Our detailed gutter inspection report is designed to give you a clear, honest picture of your guttering system's condition and a practical roadmap for any work that is needed. It is written in plain English — no jargon, no technical obscurity — and includes annotated photographs so you can see exactly what we are describing.
The report is structured by elevation (front, rear, left side, right side) so you can relate the findings to the specific areas of your property. For each elevation, we describe the guttering type, material and condition, note any specific issues found (leaking joints, loose brackets, blocked downpipes, incorrect falls, material degradation), and assign a condition rating: good (no action needed), fair (minor maintenance recommended within the next 12 months), poor (repair or replacement recommended before the next winter), or critical (immediate attention required to prevent or halt active damage).
Each identified issue comes with an estimated cost for repair or remediation, allowing you to budget effectively. We also provide a prioritised action list that distinguishes between urgent issues (leaking joints causing active damp penetration, for example) and lower-priority items that can be planned for a future maintenance visit. This helps you allocate budget where it will do the most good and avoid spending money on issues that can safely wait.
For landlords and property managers, the report provides documented evidence of the property's drainage condition at a specific date. This is valuable for demonstrating compliance with maintenance obligations, supporting insurance claims if damage occurs, and building a maintenance history that informs long-term asset management decisions. We keep copies of all reports on file and can provide year-on-year comparison data for properties on our annual inspection programme.
- Report structured by elevation with annotated photographs throughout
- Condition ratings: good, fair, poor, critical — for each element on each elevation
- Estimated repair costs for every identified issue
- Prioritised action list distinguishing urgent items from planned maintenance
- Suitable for homeowners, pre-purchase due diligence, landlord compliance and insurance records
