Gutters form an important part of the foundation of our homes. They funnel any rainwater away and keep the ground immediately around the house from becoming waterlogged. They also prevent damage from occurring to the structure of the house as well as the surrounding landscaping.

It’s important to clean your gutters on a regular basis because if they’re not working properly, it can result in water damage to your home. Clogging is one of the most common issues that occur with gutters so below we have listed a few simple ways to prevent this from happening.

Replace damaged guttering

Harsh weather conditions can dent or misshape gutters which makes them more prone to clogging. If your gutters haven’t been replaced for a very long time and you’re starting to have issues with them, it could be time to invest in some new ones.

If your gutters are in a bad way, there’s every possibility that they won’t be able to withhold weight from too much rain or snow. Believe it or not, this can actually be incredibly dangerous because it can lead to gutter collapse which can damage your house, your car and anything else in the surrounding area.

Well maintained gutters can last up to 35 years but if you live in an area prone to extreme weather, they may not last that long. It’s also worth giving them the once over after a bad storm to check for damage regardless of their age. If you’re ever unsure, it’s a good idea to have them checked over by a professional who will be able to advise you accordingly.

Keep trees trimmed

Gutter blockages are normally caused by leaves so you can prevent this from happening by keeping any of the trees which surround your home well-trimmed. Also cut off any branches that are hanging over the house because they can cause a huge amount of damage in a storm. Avoid planting any very leafy trees near the roof of your house to minimise the chances of future problems occurring.

Don’t block the path of your gutters

Make sure that you don’t have any shrubs or rocks that are blocking your gutter because this stops water flowing down. Believe it or not, a well maintained driveway also plays a part in the effectiveness of your gutters. If your driveway has cracks for example, leaves and other debris can easily pile up and lead to blockages.

Install leaf gutter guards

Leaf gutter guards allow water to soak through a screen while still being strong enough to wash all leaves over the gutter and onto the ground. Although they can be costly, if your gutters are prone to getting clogged, it’s a worthwhile expense.

 Maintain your gutters

If you never inspect your gutters, you have no way of knowing what condition they’re in. Try to remember to check yours on a regular basis and while you’re there, remove any leaves so they don’t have a chance to build up. This alone can prevent major problems in the future.

If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, there are a number of companies who can do this for you.