03/09/2026
Why is it important now to have your gutters cleaned?
This winter has been unusual.
Cape Town International Airport recorded just 14.4 mm of rain in July — its lowest July rainfall in 68 years. Only three weak cold fronts reached the south-western Cape during July, with a strong Atlantic high-pressure system keeping many fronts further south.
So what does this mean for your gutters?
Regular rainfall normally helps flush leaves, dust, pollen, small twigs and organic material through gutters and downpipes. With so little rain this winter, that natural flushing has been limited.
After cleaning thousands of gutters, we’ve seen some of the worst build-up in years — including dry leaves, sediment, dust and compacted organic material.
And today's weather is a timely reminder.
A mid-latitude cut-off low and cold front are currently affecting the Western Cape, bringing the cold, wet and windy conditions associated with these systems. Even partially restricted gutters can reduce the rate at which water reaches the downpipe. When significant rainfall arrives, water can enter faster than the system can discharge — resulting in overflow, blocked downpipes and water running down exterior walls.
Looking ahead, El Niño is associated with warmer and drier conditions in parts of southern Africa, but it does not directly control Cape Town's individual cold fronts or cut-off lows. So a dry winter does not mean we won't still experience significant rainfall events.
If you are thinking about a water tank clean gutters and downpipes are important for efficient rainwater harvesting. Leaves and sediment can restrict flow and enter the system, potentially clogging filters and inlet screens.
We still have a few September spots available so welcome to message us either directly or via [email protected] to request a free quotation.
