Maintaining your gutters throughout the year is a important task to keep your house in tip-top shape. Gutter cleaning and repair should be done at least twice a annum (spring and autumn) to prevent serious damage from occuring. The first step to proper gutter maintenance is checking for obstructions, such as leaves, twigs, debris, or even birds nests. A ladder should be used to reach higher and inspect all areas of the gutters for blockages. If any are present, these should be removed using gloves or a small shovel – never use your hands!

Nextly, check for signs of rust or other deterioration on the gutter itself. Over time this can weaken it's structural integrity and lead to leaks and bowing. If there are any signs of rusting you may need to replace some parts of the gutter system with new ones. After making sure everything looks okay inside the gutters it's time to move outside! Here you'll want to check that downspouts are clear and free flowing by running water through them - if not then they might need unblocking too!

Finally(!), take a look at how well the gutters are attached to your roofline. Make sure each one is securely fastened so that it won't come loose during strong winds or heavy rainstorms which could cause major problems if left unchecked! All in all, maintaining your gutters throughout the year will save you money in repairs down the road – so don't forget about them once spring arrives!