How often should you clear your gutters?

Blocked gutters overflow down your walls, which leads to damp patches inside, damaged brickwork and rotten fascias. Clearing them is cheap; fixing damp isn't.

The short answer

Once a year for most homes, best done in late autumn once the leaves have dropped.

When to clear them more often

• Trees overhang the roof: twice a year, in spring and late autumn.
• You've seen water spilling over the edge in heavy rain.
• Plants or moss are growing in the gutter.
• You live near the coast or in a very exposed spot.

Signs your gutters need attention

• Damp patches on inside walls, often upstairs.
• Green stains or moss on outside walls.
• Gutters sagging or pulling away from the fascia.

Doing it safely

Working at height is the risky part. Most gutter cleaners use long vacuum poles from the ground, and many send before and after photos taken with a camera on the pole.

Tip: Ask for a quick check of downpipes too. A blocked downpipe makes a clean gutter overflow anyway.