A downpipe running close to a wall is an easy climbing route for a possum, especially where it sits near a corner post, a trellis or a section of wall with a rough surface to grip. Once up there, the possum is only a short step from the gutter and whatever gap in the roofline it finds first, so closing off the climb is often as useful as sealing the roof itself. This comes up a fair bit on the older homes around Paddington with exposed downpipes running straight up an outside wall.
When downpipe access looks like part of the problem, the crew we book checks which downpipes sit closest to a confirmed or suspected roof opening and how easy each one is to climb, since a smooth round pipe on brackets away from the wall is a lot harder to use than a square pipe bolted flush against timber cladding.
A guard is then fitted around the base and lower section of the downpipe, a smooth sleeve or collar that stops a possum getting a grip to climb. This is usually done alongside sealing work higher up around Paddington, since a downpipe guard on its own does not close an opening that is already in use, it only makes the climb harder for the next possum looking for a way up.
- Downpipes closest to a confirmed or suspected opening checked first
- Climbing risk assessed based on pipe type and wall surface
- Smooth guard or collar fitted around the base and lower section
- Usually paired with sealing work higher up the roofline
- Suited to homes with exposed downpipes on outside walls
Call 07 3543 7764 and we will book a local crew to check your downpipes and fit guards where needed.
