Preparing Your Gutters for Falling Leaves: A Michigan Homeowner’s Fall Checklist
Fall in Michigan means cooler temperatures, changing colors, and plenty of leaves coming down. While those leaves may look great on the trees, they can quickly become a problem when they land in your gutters.
A few leaves may not seem like a big deal, but as debris builds up, it can restrict water flow, clog downspouts, and cause gutters to overflow. Preparing your gutters before the bulk of the leaves fall can help protect your home and save you from dealing with bigger problems later in the season.
Here’s what homeowners should do to get their gutters ready for fall.
1. Start With a Thorough Gutter Cleaning
If your gutters already contain leaves, sticks, seed pods, dirt, or other debris from summer, adding another season of falling leaves can quickly create a clog.
Starting fall with clean gutters gives rainwater a clear path to move through your gutter system and away from your home.
Pay particular attention to corners, outlets, and areas near downspouts. Debris tends to collect in these spots and may create blockages even when the rest of the gutter looks relatively clear.
Not sure whether yours need attention? Check out our blog, 10 Signs Your Gutters Need Cleaning Right Now, for some common warning signs.
2. Make Sure Your Downspouts Are Flowing
Cleaning the gutters is only part of the job. Water also needs somewhere to go.
Check your downspouts to make sure they aren’t clogged with leaves or other debris. During a rainfall, you should see water flowing freely from the bottom of the downspout.
Also look at where that water is being discharged. Downspouts should direct water away from your foundation rather than allowing it to pool alongside your home.
Proper drainage is one of the most important jobs your gutter system performs.
3. Look for Loose or Damaged Gutters
Fall is also a good time to inspect the condition of your gutter system.
Look for:
- Gutters pulling away from the house
- Loose or missing fasteners
- Sagging sections
- Leaking seams or corners
- Damaged downspouts
- Water stains beneath the gutters
- Areas where water regularly spills over the edge
A gutter that is already loose or sagging can become an even bigger problem once wet leaves begin adding weight to the system.
Taking care of small repairs now can help your gutters perform properly through fall rain and into Michigan’s winter weather.
4. Pay Attention to Trees Around Your Home
Homes surrounded by mature trees usually need more gutter maintenance than homes in open areas.
Maple, oak, pine and other trees can fill gutters with leaves, needles, twigs, seeds and other debris. And they don’t necessarily drop everything at the same time.
That means one early-fall gutter cleaning may not be enough.
If your home has a lot of trees nearby, check your gutters periodically throughout the season—especially after windy weather or once a large number of leaves have fallen.
You can also read our blog, The Best Gutters for Homes with Lots of Trees, for more tips on choosing and maintaining a gutter system in a heavily wooded area.
5. Don’t Ignore Overflow During Fall Rain
If you notice water pouring over the sides of your gutters during a heavy rain, don’t assume the storm is simply producing too much water.
Overflow can be a sign of clogged gutters, blocked downspouts, improper pitch, or another issue with the gutter system.
Water spilling over the edge can end up around your foundation, landscaping, siding, sidewalks, patios, or driveway instead of being safely directed away from your home.
Our blog, Why Gutters Overflow During Heavy Rain, explains some of the most common causes and what homeowners should look for.
6. Consider Gutter Covers Before the Leaves Really Start Falling
If cleaning leaves out of your gutters is an annual battle, gutter covers or screens may be worth considering.
A properly selected gutter protection system can help keep leaves, sticks, pine needles and other debris from collecting inside the gutter while still allowing rainwater to flow through.
At Gutters R Us, we offer different gutter protection options because every home is different. The amount and type of tree coverage, roof design, gutter system and other factors can all affect which option makes the most sense.
Gutter covers don’t mean your gutter system should never be inspected again, but they can significantly reduce the amount of debris entering the gutters and make ongoing maintenance much easier.
7. Don’t Wait Until the Gutters Are Packed
It’s easy to put gutter maintenance off until most of the leaves are on the ground.
The problem is that fall rain doesn’t wait.
If your gutters become packed with leaves before a heavy rain, water may have nowhere to go. Wet leaves also become heavier, putting additional strain on gutters that may already be loose or damaged.
Getting ahead of leaf season gives your gutter system a better chance to do its job throughout the fall.
Get Your Gutters Ready for Michigan Fall
A little preparation now can make a big difference as the leaves begin to fall.
Whether your gutters need cleaning, repairs, gutter covers, or a complete replacement, Gutters R Us can help make sure your system is ready for the season ahead.
And if climbing a ladder and digging wet leaves out of your gutters isn’t how you want to spend your fall weekend, we’re happy to handle that part too.
When it rains… we shine.
Contact Gutters R Us today to schedule your fall gutter service.
