How to tell
- The gutter is full of standing water after the rain has stopped
- Water spills at the top of the downpipe
- Little or nothing comes out at the bottom in heavy rain
- Water leaks from the joints of the pipe
- The drain at the bottom floods
Where the blockage usually is
Most blockages sit in one of three places: the outlet at the top where the gutter meets the pipe, the swan neck bends under the eaves, or the shoe and drain at the bottom.
What you can check from the ground
Clear leaves from the gully at the bottom and lift any grid. If the pipe has a shoe that turns outwards, look up inside it for a plug of debris. Leave anything higher than you can reach from the ground.
How we clear it
We clear the outlet, vacuum or rod the pipe from the top, take the bends apart if they are packed solid and then flush the pipe with water to prove it runs. If the blockage is below ground in the drain, we will tell you, because that is a drainage job.
Keeping it clear
A regular gutter clean is the best protection. Where trees are close, a simple outlet guard stops leaves dropping into the pipe.
Need a hand?
We clean and repair gutters, fascias and soffits across Manchester and the North West. Ask for a free fixed quote or see our gutter cleaning services and the areas we cover.
