Blocked gutters don’t announce themselves until something goes wrong. These are the signs to look out for from the ground.
Water spilling over the edge
If water pours over the front of the gutter during rain rather than running to the downpipe, something is stopping it. Usually it’s leaves, moss or silt.
Plants growing in the gutter
Grass, weeds or even small saplings growing out of a gutter mean there is enough soil and debris inside for roots to take hold.
Damp or staining on the walls
Water running down the wall from an overflowing gutter leaves green streaks and dark patches. Over time it can let damp into the brickwork. Inside, you might see damp patches on walls or ceilings near the eaves.
A downpipe that gurgles or drips
A downpipe blocked part way down can gurgle, drip from joints, or leave the ground dry at the bottom while the gutter above overflows.
Sagging gutters
Gutters full of wet debris are heavy. If a section is sagging, pulling away from the fascia, or has broken clips, it needs attention before it comes down.
Birds and insects
Nesting birds and swarms of insects around the gutter line can point to a build-up of debris.
What to do
Don’t climb a ladder to check if you’re not confident working at height. We clear gutters and downpipes from the ground with a gutter vacuum and camera, and we can fix broken clips or replace sections. See gutter cleaning and how often gutters should be cleaned.
