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You can remove your gutters before painting, but it's rarely required. It can be easier to paint gutters on the ground once you or a pro have removed them, but replacing them afterward can be challenging. In these cases, removing gutters may be impractical. Make your decision based on your comfort level and abilities.

Though aluminum and copper are some of the most common gutter materials, they aren't the only types of gutter materials on the market. There are also stainless steel gutters, vinyl gutters, zinc gutters, and wood gutters. Some homeowners choose to forgo traditional gutter systems entirely. Gutter system alternatives include angled louvers, rain chains, drip edges, rain dispersal systems, and french drains.

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.

Unless you've chosen to install underground downspouts, your gutter downspouts shouldn't touch the ground. If they come into contact with the soil or pavement next to your home, rainwater can back up into them during a storm, preventing them from doing their job effectively. Instead, aim to have your downspouts end about 12 inches from the ground.