If the gutters and downspouts on your home are not in a good condition your home may be susceptible to damp and water damage and checking gutters is a job that you should add to your "to-do" list immediately.
It's the gutters and downspouts that take the water away from your home, so if these are damaged or blocked the water will simply be allowed to run down the outside of your home, which after time will create a damp patch on your interior wall.
Gutters and downspouts should always be checked at least once a year to make sure they are working properly. Sections that have become loose or even sections that have separated should be repaired as soon as possible. Any debris in the gutter or downspout that has collected over time, such as leaves, should be removed and the flow of water down the gutter and downspout checked using a simple watering can.
This is something that should probably be done more than once or twice during the autumn months even if there isn't a tree hanging over your house to deposit leaves directly. It is fairly simple for the wind to exacerbate the situation so that you do have to worry about it so even if you don't see an obvious problem, it is always worth checking. In situations where there are a lot of falling leaves, twigs and debris, then the detritus can mulch and form an all-but impenetrable plug.
A broken gutter or downspout can also cause a persistent drip that can damage or flood the ground beneath it, potentially also causing problems to the lower wall/foundations.
If you leave a broken gutter or downspout and don't fix the problem it will only get worse. Hiring an experienced roofing contractor who has specialist knowledge and equipment is always preferable when working at height so the job can be completed safely.
