It is October, when leaves are falling in full force. If fallen leaves and twigs accumulate in the eavesroughs and downspouts along the edges of the roof, rainwater and melted snow will have nowhere to go and overflow toward the house. Opening the drainage channels before winter arrives is the most basic autumn maintenance task for protecting your home.
The problems clogged gutters cause in winter
If gutters become clogged, water can drip near the foundation, leading to basement leaks, and if water pools and freezes at the edges of the roof, an ice dam can form, allowing water to seep under the roofing material. Drainpipes filled with wet leaves can freeze and crack, and heavy gutters may sag or fall off. Insurance Bureau Canada (IBC) also recommends keeping gutters and drainpipes clean and diverting water away from the house.
When and in what order should we clean?
1) The time is after most of the leaves have fallen.It is recommended. In Ontario, late October to mid-November is usually recommended, and cleaning twice a year, in spring and autumn, is advised as standard.
2) Please remove the fallen leaves and debris first. Put on gloves and scoop out fallen leaves, soil, and roof sand from inside the gutter, and also check for blockages in the drain pipe inlet.
3) Please run water through the hose. Check by the water flow whether the drain pipe is completely clear and if there are any leaks at the joints.
4) Look at the sagging and fixation status. If there are areas where water pools, the gutter is sagging, so inspect the fixing bracket and check if the drain extension pipe is sending water away from the foundation.
Safety comes first.
When working with ladders, avoid stretching your body excessively to the side and move the ladder frequently. If the house is two stories or higher, has a steep roof slope, or if you feel uneasy about working with a ladder, do not push yourself; it is safer to entrust the task to a professional company. Safety comes before cost.
A single autumn cleaning can prevent basement leaks, roof damage, and even winter ice problems. This weekend, take a look before all the leaves fall.
Source: Kuntal Realty 'Ultimate Fall Cleanup Checklist: Prepare Your Ontario Home for Winter''
https://www.kuntalrealty.ca/blog/2026/10/7/ultimate-fall-cleanup-checklist-prepare-home-yard-for-winter
Johnson Team 'Fall Home Maintenance Checklist for GTA Sellers''
https://www.johnson-team.com/blog/fall-home-maintenance-checklist-for-gta-sellers/
| 