DIY Supermarket

Gutters need to be free of debris to allow water to drain efficiently. Gutters that are left to clog up with leaves and other matter can create knock-on problems with water overflowing and saturating masonry. In worst-case scenarios over a prolonged period, this can compromise the structural integrity of a building.

If you make it a habit to regularly clear out your gutters, you could save yourself more serious work later on.

Safety first: if you are using a ladder to access the gutter, ensure it is on a level surface and propped up against something solid and secure. Ideally, you should have somebody standing below holding the ladder steady.

Wearing heavy-duty gloves, clear out the gutters. Scoop debris out with a narrow garden trowel, or a plastic milk carton with the bottom cut out works well. Attach a bucket to your ladder with a butcher’s hook. This can be used to hold the debris from the gutter and means that your hands are kept free. To avoid over-stretching, always move the ladder along the gutter as you progress.

When cleaning out gutters it is a good time to check them for cracks that require sealing or loose brackets that may be causing gutters to sag and drain less efficiently.

Finally, to prevent downpipes from clogging with leaves and other debris, consider fixing a protective mesh guard over them. This collects debris, allowing you to easily remove it by hand before it even descends into the downpipe, where it is much harder to clear.