Autumn is when gutters earn their keep. The trees that shaded your garden all summer start dropping their leaves, the rain gets heavier and more frequent, and anything sitting in your gutters turns into a soggy mat that stops water getting away. A blocked gutter in October can mean water spilling down your walls by December.
The good news is that most gutter problems are easy to spot if you know what to look for. This checklist walks through what to check, when to do it, and when it's worth calling in help.
Why autumn matters more than any other season
Gutters collect debris all year round, but autumn brings the biggest load in the shortest time. Leaves, twigs and seed pods land in the gutter, get wet, and pack down into a dense layer that can hold standing water. Moss that's been quietly growing on the roof over summer also starts washing down with the first heavy rains.
Clearing gutters after the main leaf fall, rather than at the very start of autumn, means you remove the season's debris in one go instead of doing the job twice.
Your autumn gutter checklist
1. Watch your gutters in the rain
The simplest check costs nothing. Next time it rains properly, step outside and look along your gutters:
- Is water overflowing the edge instead of running along to the downpipe?
- Is there a steady drip from a joint or corner?
- Does water gush out of the top of a downpipe rather than down it?
Any of these usually means a blockage somewhere along the run.
2. Look for plants growing out of the gutter
Grass, weeds or even small saplings sprouting from your gutter are a sure sign that soil and debris have built up. If something can take root, water isn't flowing freely.
3. Check the walls below
Damp patches, green streaks or dark staining on the brickwork beneath a gutter often point to water spilling over the edge. Left alone, persistent overflow can lead to damp problems inside.
4. Check the downpipes
Downpipes can block at the bends. If a gutter looks clear but still overflows near a downpipe, the blockage may be further down.
5. Look at the fascia boards
Fascias are the boards your gutters are fixed to. Green or grey streaks running down them usually mean water has been spilling over the gutter. Cleaning them at the same time as the gutters is sensible; see our guide to fascia and soffit cleaning.
6. Note overhanging trees
If branches hang over your roof, your gutters will fill faster than your neighbours'. Homes like this often benefit from a clear-out more than once a year.
Why we don't recommend climbing a ladder to do it
It's tempting to grab a ladder and a trowel on a dry weekend. Ladder work at gutter height carries a real risk of falls, especially on uneven ground, wet grass or with a heavy bucket in one hand.
We clear gutters from the ground using the Supreme SkyVac Atom Sonic, a wet and dry gutter vacuum on extendable poles. It lifts out leaves, moss, twigs, bird mess and even deep-rooted turf without anyone needing to climb up, and the debris goes straight into the vacuum rather than onto your lawn or driveway.
When to call in a professional
Book a gutter clearance if:
- Your gutters overflow in normal rain.
- You can see plants growing from them.
- You have trees overhanging the roof.
- The gutters are above a single storey, or hard to reach safely.
Our gutter clearance service covers Leamington Spa, Warwick, Kenilworth, Stratford-upon-Avon, Shipston-on-Stour and the surrounding area.
A quick recap
- Check your gutters in the rain after the main leaf fall.
- Look for overflow, drips, plant growth and staining on walls and fascias.
- Don't forget the downpipes.
- Avoid ladder work where you can, and get help for anything above a single storey.
A few minutes spent checking now can save a lot of hassle once winter sets in. If you'd rather not deal with it yourself, get a free quote and we'll take care of it.