The good news is that blocked gutters often give you a few clues.
Water spilling over the sides
If rainwater is cascading over the edge rather than flowing through the downpipes, there's a good chance something is getting in the way. You may notice this particularly during heavier showers, when the gutters have more water to handle.
Plants are making an appearance
A little greenery growing from your gutters might look harmless, but it's a pretty good indication that organic debris has been sitting there for some time. Seeds can settle among leaves and debris, creating the perfect spot for weeds to take root.
Sagging or pulling away
Gutters are designed to sit securely against your roofline. If sections are starting to sag or pull away from the house, a build-up of wet debris could be adding extra weight. It's worth dealing with the blockage before the problem becomes more serious.
Stains on the outside
Dark streaks, dirt marks or water stains around the outside of your gutters can be another sign that water isn't draining properly. Instead of staying contained within the guttering, it may be overflowing or backing up.
Your downpipes aren't draining properly
If water is slow to disappear from the gutters, or you notice little or no water coming from the bottom of a downpipe during rain, there could be a blockage further down the system.
It's been a while since they were cleaned
Sometimes the biggest clue is simply time. Even if your gutters look reasonably tidy from ground level, debris can collect in corners and around downpipe openings where it's easy to miss.
A post-winter check can help catch small problems before they turn into overflowing gutters, water damage or costly repairs. If you're not comfortable climbing a ladder, leave the inspection and cleaning to a professional - your gutters can wait, but your safety shouldn't.
