Preparing Your Gutters for Winter: A Pre-Season Checklist

Here is the fuller checklist.

1. Clear autumn leaf-fall before it compacts

Leaves that sit in a gutter over a wet autumn compact into a dense mat that is much harder to shift once it has been rained on repeatedly. Clearing this in late autumn, after most leaves have fallen but before the first hard frost, is the single most useful thing you can do. See our gutter cleaning service.

2. Check downpipes run freely

A downpipe that is slow to drain in autumn can freeze solid in winter, and ice expanding inside a pipe is a common cause of cracked joints and split sections. If water is draining slowly, it is worth clearing before temperatures drop rather than after. See downpipe unblocking.

3. Look for loose or sagging brackets

Ice and standing water both add weight to a gutter. A bracket that is already slightly loose is far more likely to fail under winter conditions than in summer. Worth a visual check from the ground — look for any section that dips or looks like it is pulling away from the fascia. See gutter repairs.

4. Consider guards if this is a recurring problem

If you find yourself doing this every single year because of nearby trees, a mesh guard system can significantly cut down how much collects in the first place. See our guide on whether gutter guards are worth it.

When to book

Late autumn, once most leaf-fall is done but before the coldest weather arrives, is the ideal window. We get busiest in this period, so booking a few weeks ahead rather than waiting for the first overflow is the most reliable way to get a same-week slot.