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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.

Yes, it's possible for gutters to become clogged even after you've installed gutter guards. While gutter guards will drastically reduce the amount of debris that can enter your gutters, small pine needles, seedlings, and algae can still get through. Clogs can also happen if you're not maintaining gutter guards properly. Gutter guards can fail if they are overwhelmed with debris and water. While adding a rain chain gutter or other features can help to move water along, nothing can undo a poor gutter guard design that hasn't been installed by qualified experts.

Gutter life expectancy depends on the material used. Aluminum gutters last up to 25 years, while galvanized steel lasts between 15 to 20 years. Copper gutters are the most durable, with a lifespan nearing 100 years. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning and inspecting for leaks, can extend lifespans.

When soffits aren’t vented, the airflow can’t infiltrate your attic space which results in stale air trapped inside. Over time—sometimes very quickly—that trapped air can result in a moisture sink, causing rapidly growing mold issues throughout the home. You should generally avoid covering or fully closing off soffits, even in the winter months, as the ability to circulate air is far more important than the meager increase in heating costs.