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Signs that your gutters need to be cleaned include:

• Debris built up in the gutters

• Gutters overflow when it rains

• Water doesn’t flow freely from downspouts

• Gutters leak or there’s visibly damaged

• Evidence of leaking along your roof, siding, yard, or pavement

• Gutters pulled away from roof

• Water damage to soffit and fascia

• Weeds or small trees growing in the gutters

• Pests visible in your gutters

• Leaks in crawl space or basement may indicate overflowing gutters

While not required for aluminum gutters, most people find gutter guards worth it because gutter guards can help preserve the life span of new gutters by preventing buildup and debris that can cause clogs. Gutter guards can be made of plastic, stainless steel, or aluminum. The important thing to know about gutter guards is that they are not meant to replace routine cleaning and maintenance. However, they do provide one of the best ways to prevent water damage.

If you’re not interested in digging up your yard, but you still need to direct water away from your house, another option is to extend your downspouts further out into the yard. Two methods to do this are:

• Adding a splashguard. This is the simplest method. You can purchase a splashguard at your local hardware store and place it under your downspout. This will act as a funnel to direct water away from your house.

• Add downspout extension at the end. You can also add an additional downspout to the end of the “elbow” as a way to extend the water further out into your yard. Some hardware stores sell downspouts with a flexible extension that you can maneuver around your yard.

The above alternatives are great options if your gutters are above a slab foundation that you wouldn’t want to dig up. One downside to these methods is if your yard slopes back upwards to your home, then the water won’t actually flow away. In which case, burying your downspouts if the best option to avoid flooding and water damage to your home.

Removing old gutters costs $1 to $2 per linear foot when you hire a professional gutter company to do the work. You may also have to pay between $150 and $350 to dispose of the debris. If you have aluminum or steel gutters, you can recoup some of the removal cost by selling the material to a recycler or a scrap metal collector.