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With hurricane season getting worse each year, it’s more important than ever for homeowners to get ready for severe weather. In 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a 60% chance of above-normal hurricane activity, making it the seventh year in a row with high activity. Hurricanes can seriously damage home exteriors, including gutters, so regular gutter maintenance is key for storm protection. Use these tips to make sure your gutters are ready for heavy rain and strong winds this season.
1. Clean Your Gutter System
Cleaning your gutters before hurricane season is an easy way to prepare for storms. Leaves, dirt, and sticks can clog gutters and prevent them from draining water away from your home. This can lead to overflow, pooling, or even water damage inside your house.
Cleaning gutters and downspouts requires just a ladder and a bucket or a tarp, though a leaf blower can help. Clear leaves and debris from the roof and surrounding areas as well to prevent future clogs.
Most homes only need their gutters and downspouts cleaned twice a year. If you live in a wooded area or have trees over your house, check for debris more often, especially before storm season.
Even if your gutters and downspouts are clean, a yard full of leaves can still cause drainage problems. When you clear leaves from your gutters, don’t toss them onto the yard. Instead, put them in a garbage bag or compost bin to get ready for severe weather.
Taking care of your gutters not only protects your home during bad weather, but also helps prevent water damage, protects your roof, keeps pests away, and safeguards your home’s foundation.
To save time, homeowners can install gutter guards, such as screen guards, fine mesh guards, or surface tension guards. These help keep gutters free of debris and make future cleanings easier.
2. Check for Existing Rain Gutter Damage
Just like any part of your home, gutters need occasional maintenance to last longer. Check them regularly for damage, especially before storm season, to help prevent bigger problems and protect your home.
Common gutter problems include cracks, rust, paint damage, leaky or separated seals, rotting, mold or mildew, gutters pulling away from the roof, and sagging.
You can fix some of these problems yourself. Other types of damage may mean it’s time to replace your gutters. The good news is that replacing gutters usually costs less than repairing damage caused by neglect. It’s also a chance to install new, more durable gutters that can handle storms better than your old system.
Find the Right Contractor for Your Gutters Project
Whether you’re ready to begin your project now or need some expert advice, our network of contractors are here to help. With a few simple questions, we’ll find the best local professionals for you
Remember, regular gutter maintenance helps you avoid these problems and keeps your home ready for storms.
3. Tend to Your Downspouts
Downspouts are an important part of your gutter system that many people overlook. They carry water from your roof down the side of your house. The end of the downspout should be at least three feet away from your home to prevent water from pooling. Pooling and overflowing can damage your foundation, crack walls and siding, flood your basement, and cause uneven floors.
How to Test the Condition of Downspouts
To check if your downspouts are working and draining properly, run water from a hose through your gutter system. If water pools at the start of the downspout, there’s probably a clog. Fix this before storm season starts.
Use a plumber’s drain snake or auger to break up the clog. Run the tool through the downspout several times at different angles. Wiggle and turn it where you feel resistance, as that’s probably where the clog is.
Afterward, flush clean water through the downspout to wash out any loose debris. If the water flows without pooling, you’ve cleared the blockage.
If water from the downspout comes out too close to your siding, you can install downspout extenders or hire a gutter contractor to fix the problem.
When Is It Time to Call a Gutter Professional?
If you need help getting your gutters ready for storm season, Modernize can assist. Our gutter professionals can clean, repair, and make sure your gutters are in good shape to handle heavy rain and strong winds.
Talk to the experts at Modernize today to connect with a trusted local contractor who can help get your gutters ready before storm season.
Find the Right Contractor for Your Gutters Project
Whether you’re ready to begin your project now or need some expert advice, our network of contractors are here to help. With a few simple questions, we’ll find the best local professionals for you
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