Fall Gutter Guide: What Every Missouri Homeowner Should Check Before Winter

Gutters aren’t glamorous, but they’re one of the hardest-working parts of your home. In this video, Midwest Roofing CEO Madison Plemmons walks a real project and shows what gutters do, how to tell they’re clogged, how often to clean them, and the hidden damage that shows up when they’re ignored.

Grab the free printable: Download the Fall Gutter Checklist (PDF). It’s one page, with everything below, and fits on the fridge.

What do gutters actually do?

Gutters catch the water that runs off your roof and carry it to downspouts that send it away from your house. That’s why we call them a foundation protection system. When they work, rain lands where it should. When they don’t, water dumps right next to your foundation, soaks the soil and starts working its way into places it shouldn’t.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s building guidance recommends that downspouts discharge onto ground sloping away from the house, at least 5 feet from the foundation.

How can clogged gutters damage my foundation?

When gutters clog, water overshoots the gutter or spills over the low end and lands against the house. Over time that water erodes the ground around your foundation. On the house in our video, the gutters tilt so badly that years ago the homeowner poured a small concrete slab just to stop the soil from washing away. Erosion like that can lead to thousands of dollars in unnecessary repairs.

What are the signs my gutters are clogged?

From the ground, look for any of these:

• leaves, sticks or debris piled on the gutter or sitting on top of the gutter guards;
• water streaks or stains running down the front of the gutters;
• downspouts that drip instead of draining.

Streaking usually means a clogged downspout is backing water up, so it isn’t being carried away from the house like it should be. Any of these means it’s time to clean or call a pro.

How often should I clean my gutters?

Twice a year at minimum: once in late spring and once in late fall. Those cleanings come right after the times of year when most debris (seeds, blossoms, then leaves) comes down and clogs the gutters. Homes with lots of trees close to the roof may need more. Every house is a little different, so plan around your trees, not just the calendar.

For the full answer, see our short video: How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?

Don’t forget the roof itself. Leaves pile up in roof valleys too, and in our gallon-of-water test, a leaf-filled valley held water for about 14 seconds before any came out.

Are gutter guards worth it?

Maybe. It depends on your trees. Guards don’t make a house maintenance-free. On a heavily wooded lot like the one in our video, debris still builds up on top of the guards. What they do is cut maintenance substantially, because the leaves stay out of the gutter itself. On that house, guards took cleaning from two or three times a season down to about twice a year.

Can clogged gutters cause hidden roof damage?

Yes, and it’s the damage people don’t see coming. When gutters don’t drain, water can get behind the roofing system:

• into the fascia board the gutter hangs on;
• into the soffit;
• up into the roof decking.

Rot is a slow process. It usually doesn’t show itself until it’s bad enough that things start falling apart. Peeling paint, sagging gutters, dark stains and soft or warped boards are early warning signs. Learn more: Can clogged gutters cause roof leaks? 6 warning signs.

What should I check on my gutters this fall?

Use this quick self-check from the ground. If you check any box, it’s time to clean or have a pro take a look.

When	What to check	DIY or call a pro?
Late fall (after the leaves drop)	Debris sitting on top of gutter guards, or leaves poking out of gutters without guards	Clear it from the ground with an extension tool, or call a pro for a ladder job
Late spring (after seeds and blossoms)	Same as fall, plus downspouts draining freely at the bottom	DIY from the ground if safe; a pro for second-story or steep roofs
During or right after a heavy rain	Water overshooting the gutters or streaking down the front of the gutters or fascia	Call a pro: likely a clog, a bad slope or a failing hanger
After a big rain, once things dry	A wet spot left on the ground under the gutter line, especially at the corners	Call a pro: water isn’t being carried away from the house
Anytime	Soft, stained, peeling or rotting fascia or soffit; gutters pulling away from the house	Call a pro: possible hidden rot behind the gutter
Anytime	Soil washing out or eroding near the foundation	Call a pro right away

Safety first: never work on a ladder near power lines, in wet or windy weather, or alone. When in doubt, call a pro.

When should I call a professional?

Call a pro if you see:

• erosion at your foundation;
• water overshooting the gutters;
• stains or rot on the fascia or soffit;
• gutters that are sagging or pulling loose;
• clogs that come right back.

Call one too if your roofline is simply too high to check safely. A pro can clean the gutters, check their slope and hangers, and spot rot behind them before it spreads.

How Midwest Roofing can help

Every Midwest Roofing project starts with a free 360° inspection and digital analysis. We check your roof, gutters, fascia and soffit, and show you exactly what we found. If your gutters are fine, we’ll tell you that too.

• Schedule your free 360° inspection
• Found damage? See our roof repair services.
• Want it handled every year? ShingleCare+ annual roof maintenance is $99 a year.

We have offices in Eldon (Lake of the Ozarks), Columbia and Springfield, and serve homeowners within about 100 miles of each, including Jefferson City.

FAQ

How often should gutters be cleaned in Missouri?
At least twice a year: once in late spring and once in late fall, after the seasons when most debris falls. Homes with many trees close to the roof may need more frequent cleaning.

Do gutter guards mean I never have to clean my gutters?
No. Debris still collects on top of guards, especially under heavy tree cover. Guards reduce how often you need maintenance, but they do not make a home maintenance-free.

How can I tell if my downspouts are clogged?
Look for water streaking down the front of the gutters during or after rain, and for gutters overflowing at the ends. Both mean water is backing up instead of draining through the downspout.

Can clogged gutters damage my foundation?
Yes. When water overshoots clogged gutters, it lands next to the house and can erode the soil around the foundation over time, which can lead to expensive repairs.

What is fascia and why does it rot?
Fascia is the board along the roof edge that the gutters attach to. When gutters do not drain, water can soak the fascia and soffit, and the rot often stays hidden until it is severe.

Sources

• U.S. Department of Energy, Building America Solution Center (PNNL): Gutters and Downspouts
• U.S. Department of Energy, Building Science Education: Stormwater: Gutters and Downspouts
• GAF: How Fascia Repair Can Benefit the Health of Your Home