Gutter cleaning and maintenance: protect your roof and foundation

Gutters carry rain and melting snow away from your roof, walls and foundation. When they clog, water goes where it should not, and that is a common cause of damp basements, rotted fascia and ice dams.

The short version: clean gutters at least twice a year, usually in late spring and after the leaves fall, check that downspouts drain well away from the house, and fix leaks and sags early.

Why they matter

Overflowing gutters can soak the siding and fascia boards, damage the foundation and basement, erode the soil and freeze into heavy ice in winter. Clogged gutters also let water back up under the shingles.

How often

Twice a year is the usual minimum: once in spring and once in late fall after the leaves drop. If you have many trees nearby, you may need more often. Check after big storms too.

How to clean them

• Use a sturdy ladder on level ground, with someone to hold it, and never lean beyond your reach. If you are not comfortable with heights, hire a pro.
• Wear gloves and eye protection.
• Scoop out leaves and debris by hand or with a small scoop, and bag it.
• Flush with a garden hose, working toward the downspout.
• Clear any clogged downspouts with a hose or plumber's snake.

What to check

• Slope: water should flow toward the downspouts, with no standing pools.
• Leaks and gaps at the seams and corners.
• Loose or sagging sections and missing fasteners.
• Downspouts: extend them well away from the foundation, often by a couple of metres, using extensions or splash blocks.
• Rust, cracks and peeling paint.

Gutter guards

Guards reduce the debris that gets in, but they do not remove the need for checks. Fine debris and shingle grit can still collect, so inspect and clean them occasionally.

In winter

Keep downspouts clear where you can safely do so. Ice dams form when heat escapes through the roof and melts snow, which then refreezes at the edge. Better insulation and ventilation address the cause; the gutters only show it.

Example

A downspout that empties against the foundation can send water into the basement. Adding a downspout extension can be an inexpensive fix compared with waterproofing work later.

Safety first: do not work near power lines, and consider a professional for tall or steep roofs.