A new eavestrough is not a clean one. New builds start with roof grit, construction dust and soil that is still settling. This timeline checklist, from possession day through the first two winters, shows what to check and when.
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New does not mean clean
Several things load a new trough before a single leaf falls. New asphalt shingles shed loose granules in their early life, and rain carries them straight into the troughs. Sawdust, drywall dust and offcuts can end up on the roof or in the troughs after the trades finish. In a growing subdivision, wind also carries dust and debris from nearby lots that are still under construction.
A light layer of granules in the first season is normal. Note how much there is and where it collects. If drifts keep building after the first year, ask the roofer or builder to take a look.
Meanwhile the yard is bare. Rain hits loose soil, splashes mud up the siding and carries silt toward the foundation. All of that makes the first year a good time to build a routine, not a time to skip one.
The new-build eavestrough timeline
- Possession day walk-through. Look at every run from the ground. The troughs should be straight and firmly attached, corners neat, downspouts joined and bracketed, and extensions in place. Note dents, gaps, crushed pipe and loose parts in writing, with dated photos.
- The first heavy rain. Stand under cover and watch. Any overflow, dripping seam or pooling at a downspout base belongs on your list.
- First month. Walk the foundation and look for low spots where water collects. Check that each downspout discharges onto ground that slopes away.
- First fall. Clean the troughs once the leaves are down, or sooner if grit and wind-blown debris are visible. Flush every downspout.
- After the first winter. Look for ice damage, loose hangers, split seams and shifted extensions.
- Year one and year two reviews. Read the warranty documents you received and note the reporting deadlines. Send any defect to the builder in writing, with photos.
Warranty terms vary, so check what applies to your home instead of assuming.
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Grading and settling: the quiet risk
The soil around a new foundation was dug out and put back. Over the first few years it settles, and low spots form beside the house. A downspout that drops water into one of those spots sends it straight to the footing.
Walk the perimeter after heavy rain and look for pooling near the wall. Extending each downspout well away from the house helps, and the guide to grading soil around a foundation explains how the ground should slope. If the lot grading looks wrong, raise it with the builder in writing while your warranty is active. Do not simply fill the low spot with topsoil, because that can push water toward a neighbour or bury weep holes.
Checking the layout, not just the parts
A tidy install can still have weak spots by design. Look for a long run with a single downspout, a roof valley that empties into a short stretch of trough, and extensions that stop just past the wall. Watch how those spots behave in a storm before you decide they are fine.
If they overflow, the fix may be a longer extension, a valley diverter or an extra downspout. Any change to the system should be quoted in writing.
New homes also need their own kind of washing and care. Our note on why new build homes in KW need exterior cleaning too covers the rest of the exterior.
Who does what on a new build
The builder handles defects inside the warranty. Routine cleaning is yours. That means clearing the grit and leaves, flushing the pipes and keeping notes.
Keep a one-page log with the date of each check, your photos and copies of anything sent to the builder. If a defect appears in year two, a dated record beats memory every time.
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Key Takeaways
- New troughs collect shingle granules, construction dust and wind-blown debris before the first leaf falls.
- Use a timeline: possession walk-through, first heavy rain, first month, first fall, after the first winter and the warranty reviews.
- Settling soil beside a new foundation can send downspout water to the footing, so lengthen discharges and watch the grading.
- Report defects to the builder in writing with photos, and tell any contractor the home is new.
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