As the weather heats up and things start to dry out, bushfires are a very real risk in many areas of Australia.  There are things that you can do to mitigate that risk, however, and protect your home, and fireproofing your gutters is an excellent start. Here are our hints and tips for doing so.  For more information about fireproofing your gutters, speak to your local guttering professional.

Use Certified Gutter Guards

The best way to fireproof your gutters is by using certified gutter guards.  Gutter guards are designed to keep leaves and debris out of your gutters while still allowing the rainwater to flow freely into the gutter.  If you are using gutter guards, the best option is to use one made from metal.  The leaf screener design is a popular option as leaves and debris just blow right off with a little bit of wind.  The aluminium screening mesh is placed under the tiles and extends past the edge of the gutter – there is nowhere for leaves and debris to build up.  In gutter guards are also made from metal and they are installed within the gutter itself.  Like leaf screeners, they are designed so that leaves and debris can blow off.  When choosing metal gutter guards, you’ll most likely be choosing between steel and aluminium. Both are excellent choices.

Metal gutter guards also help to prevent against ember attack.  This is important in the case of a bushfire as embers can land in your gutters and cause a fire to flare, threatening your home.  The metal gutter guards will not catch alight in any way and the embers will simply burn themselves out harmlessly.

Plastic Gutter Guards – Are They An Option?

When you are buying gutter guards, try not to opt for plastic, no matter how high the quality.  Plastic gutter guards will not last for more than a few years and they are not fireproof – they will melt in the presence of fire or embers, allowing bushfires to get a hold in the gutter and spread to the rest of the home.  However, there are special fireproof plastic gutter guards that you can buy but these can cost just as much as metal gutter guards and they may discolour after a period of being exposed to strong sun.  If you do go plastic, double and triple check that they are fireproof before parting with your money.