Should You Clean Your Gutters Before Heavy Rain? (And Does Rain Clean Them for You?)

It’s a common question heading into storm season: will the rain clean my gutters for me, or should I clean them first? The short answer is that rain can wash away a little loose debris, but it won’t clear a properly blocked gutter, and heavy rain is exactly when blockages cause the most trouble.

Does rain really clean your gutters?

Partly. A shower might flush light, loose material through to the downpipes. But rain can also push leaves, grit and debris towards the downpipe, where it clumps and blocks the flow. Wet leaves break down into a heavy, sludgy mix that holds water, and seeds can take root in it. Rain isn’t a substitute for a proper clean.

Why clean your gutters before heavy rain

• Overflow: a blocked gutter can’t carry a sudden downpour, so water spills over the edge and runs down walls or pools near the foundations.
• Blocked downpipes: debris stuck in a downpipe stops water draining, even if the gutter itself looks fairly clear.
• Added weight: a gutter full of wet debris is heavy, which can strain fixings and cause sagging.
• Damage to eaves and fascia: water that overflows or backs up can soak into timber and cause rot over time.

What to check before a storm

From the ground, look out for:

• Plants, grass or seedlings growing in the gutters.
• Water stains or marks on walls or under the eaves, which suggest past overflow.
• Sagging or pulling away from the fascia.
• Water overflowing in light rain, or pooling where it shouldn’t.
• Slow or no flow from the downpipes.

If you spot any of these, it’s worth getting the gutters looked at before the next big storm.

Real-life example

Ben, one of our gutter cleaning technicians, went to a customer’s residence in Yarraville to help. A house’s roof gutter’s primary purpose is to redirect water from the roof to the downpipes. It is of peak importance that they are regularly inspected for holes, cracks, and blockages. The customer wanted to make sure her gutters would stand up to the winter conditions.

Ben inspected the gutters and reported they looked to be in perfect condition. However, upon inspecting the downpipes, he could see handfuls of dirt were blocking them. These blocks can be dangerous during rainfalls. Ben unclogged the pipes to make sure any water flow would be continuous and the customer wouldn’t have to worry about the downpipes during the rainy winter days.
After the job, the customer thanked Ben for an excellent job.

Staying safe

Please don’t climb a ladder in wet or windy weather. Ladders and wet roofs are a dangerous combination, and falls from ladders cause serious injuries. If you can’t safely reach your gutters from the ground, leave it to a professional.

What about after a storm?

It’s also worth a check after heavy rain or strong winds, as storms bring down leaves, twigs and debris that can block gutters and downpipes straight away. For help planning your cleans through the year, see our guide on how often to clean your gutters and our spring storm season gutter checklist.

When to call a professional

• You can’t safely reach your gutters from the ground.
• You have a two-storey or steep-roofed home.
• Gutters overflow in even moderate rain.
• Downpipes are blocked or drain slowly.
• A storm is forecast and you want it done beforehand.

For pricing information, see our gutter cleaning cost guide.

Storm on the way? Request a gutter cleaning quote and we’ll help get your gutters ready.