How GutterClear works
How GutterClear works
GutterClear is based on the principle that "prevention is better than cure"
It's usually disastrous to wait until you know you have a problem before calling in help, because the damage has already been done.
So GutterClear is designed to prevent such problems.
The Diocese has accredited some experienced local contractors to carry out the visits. What happens is this:
- you approach any accredited contractor for a quotation, just as you would with any other supplier
- if necessary, the contractor makes a preliminary visit to assess the scale of the job, the access method and any unusual health & safety issues
- the contractor sends you a quote
- you decide whether to accept it; if you do, there's a simple agreement to sign
- the Contractor then arranges the visit
- they clean out all your downpipes and gutters and note any obvious problems on a checklist
- the contractor then sends you and your architect before and after photos and the checklist
- you pay the bill and you can apply for a grant to refund the VAT if your church is eligible
- the contractor visits again as often as you believe is necessary. The price stays the same, subject only to inflation adjustment
A similar scheme (for Church of England churches only) has been in operation in London since November 2006. You can read more about it here. There is also a scheme operating in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich, the leaflet for which can be downloaded from here.
The contractor may use either a powered access platform (or "cherry picker"), or ladders, or a combination, and if necessary will assess how to get the machine to the relevant spots in the churchyard. It is often unnecessary to use the interior of the church for access.
We encourage churches to use the maintenance visit to enable their inspecting architect to visit the gutters to assess their condition once cleared out. This will be particularly useful for CofE churches having their Quinquennial Inspection soon. If more extensive access is needed than is necessary for the GutterClear visit, parishes should ask the contractor to quote for the additional expense involved.
You can also ask the contractor to quote for clearing gutters on other buildings such as church halls, and for SmartWater to be applied to vulnerable materials such as lead, during the visit. Read more about it here.
What the contractors won't do is:
- carry out repairs: but they will tell you and your architect of any obvious defects via the checklist
- unblock underground drains: this can need careful specialised diagnosis