#AnglianAnswers: How do I keep leaves out of my gutter?

As we wind our way into autumn and the leaves begin to change colour, those of us with a slew of trees in our gardens usually have one thing on our mind: leaves settling in our gutters. As a build-up of leaves and debris in our gutters can cause flooding and roof damage, we’re starting to think about how we can prevent this common household woe and keep our homes safe.

That’s why this week, we’re asking the question: how do I keep leaves out of my gutter? Keep reading for our top tips!

Install gutter guards

Installing gutter guards is the most effective way to keep your gutters protected from leaves and debris, but can also be the most expensive.

Gutter guards essentially act as physical blockers to any unwanted junk that might otherwise congregate in your gutters. You add them to your existing gutters, as they can help them last longer. There are an unbelievable amount of different types and configurations available to choose from – mesh gutter screens, gutter whiskers, gutter covers, etc. – but above all you’ll want something that’s designed to only let in rain water and not any leaves, twigs or nesting animals. You can even opt for heated gutters, which will melt ice and snow in the winter.

That said, while gutters act as deterrents from unwanted debris, they won’t completely eliminate the need to clean your gutters. Periodically, you’ll need to check your gutter guards to make sure they haven’t gotten clogged and clear out any excess debris that has collected there. Even so, your gutters shouldn’t be as clogged as they would be without guards.

Clean your gutters regularly

If installing gutter guards is off the table, regular maintenance will help keep your gutters clean. Many people opt to use leaf blowers to help remove clutter that has gathered in their gutters, though if you live in a home that’s two or three storeys tall, this isn’t always possible or safe.

Regardless of the method you choose to keep your gutters leaf-free, it’s important that you take the necessary safety precautions to ensure you don’t have a fall. If this is of particular concern to you, don’t be afraid to hire a professional company to come in and give you a hand.

Trim outlying trees

The most basic step you can take to keeping your gutters tidy is by trimming surrounding trees. This is true not just for trees that hang over your gutters, but others further away in your front and back gardens as well, as the wind could inevitably carry debris that’s prime for settling in your gutters. Obviously where there’s a will, there’s a way, but tidying up nearby trees will at the very least help you reduce the amount of leaves that find their way onto your roof.

How else are you getting your home ready for autumn? Let us know in the comments below! And as always, if you’ve got a question you’d like to see answered on #AnglianAnswers, email us at blog@angliangroup.com.

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