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Buried downspouts can freeze during cold weather as cold water runs through them. If you’ve discovered your downspouts are frozen, you can carefully pour hot water down the top of the downspout to defrost them. If that doesn’t work, you may need to dig your downspout back up. Avoid trying to break the ice from the exterior using a hammer as this can cause cracks and damage to your downspout.

To avoid freezing the future, consider adding a heating cable to the exterior, which can adjust heat based on the surrounding temperature.

Whether or not you can use a pressure washer to clean your gutter guards depends on the type of gutter guard you have and the strength of the pressure washer. Most gutter guards can handle a low-pressure setting but check first. If you’re unsure if your gutter guard is designed for pressure washing, check your manufacturer’s instructions, ask a pro, or use a garden hose to clean the gutter guard instead. As gutter guards age, they become less resistant to the strong forces of a power washer, so treat older gutter guards with more care.

It’s best to schedule regular gutter cleanings before there’s a major issue, but sometimes life gets in the way. Luckily, a few telltale signs will let you know when to clean your gutters ASAP:

• You notice built-up debris in your gutters.

• Your gutters overflow with water when it rains.

• Water doesn’t readily flow from your downspouts.

• Your gutters are damaged or visibly leaking.

• You notice evidence of leaking along your roof, siding, yard, or pavement.

• Your gutters have pulled away from your roofing or exterior walls.

• You see water damage on your soffits or fascia.

• You have weeds growing in your gutters.

• You start to see ants or other insects around your gutters or in your home.

• You suddenly have issues with leaks in your crawl space or basement.

Using less toilet paper is the easiest way to prevent future clogs. Also, avoid flushing sanitary products, thick paper towels, or hair down the toilet. If you’ve been using a brick in the tank to reduce the water used to flush the toilet, take it out immediately. Bricks will eventually fall apart and clog your toilet drain. Keeping your toilet lid closed also helps avoid future clogs.