Essential Gutter Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Protection

Gutters might not be the most exciting part of your home, but they do a lot of heavy lifting, especially here in Central Oregon. Between the pine needles, windstorms, and occasional heavy downpour, a healthy gutter system keeps water moving away from your home where it belongs.

If you haven’t checked your gutters in a while (or ever), no judgment—this is your friendly reminder that a little upkeep goes a long way.

Here are some simple, no-fluff tips to help you keep your gutters working and your home protected.

1. Clean Out the Gunk—Yes, It’s Worth It

Nobody loves scooping out a mess of wet leaves and roof grit, but clogged gutters are one of the top reasons we see siding damage, fascia rot, and even crawlspace moisture issues.

In most cases, once in the late fall and once in spring is plenty. If you’ve got a lot of trees nearby—or if your gutters overflow every time it rains—you might need to clean them more often.

2. Watch for Sagging, Leaks, or Overflow

Take a look after the next rain. Are your gutters dripping from the joints? Overflowing? Bowing or pulling away from the house?

Those are all signs something’s off. Seamless gutters help reduce these issues since they have fewer weak points. Here’s a comparison of seamless vs. sectional gutters

3. Make Sure Downspouts Are Pulling Water Away

It’s not just about what’s happening at the roofline. If your downspouts dump water too close to your foundation or walkway, it can pool and soak in over time. Extensions are cheap and easy to install, and they help keep moisture out of crawlspaces and off your siding.

4. Trim Back Overhanging Branches

Pine needles, leaves, and branches cause most of the clogs we see around here. If you’ve got trees that hang over the roofline, trimming them back a bit can reduce the amount of debris getting into your gutters and lower the chance of damage during a windstorm.

5. Consider Gutter Guards If You're Tired of Cleaning

Gutter guards don’t eliminate cleaning entirely, but they can seriously cut down how often you need to do it. For homes in wooded areas or neighborhoods with heavy tree cover, they can be a worthwhile upgrade.

6. Prep for Winter Before the Snow Hits

Ice dams can happen here in Bend and nearby areas when snow melts and refreezes at the roof edge. One of the best ways to prevent that is to make sure your gutters are clear going into winter, and that your attic is properly ventilated and insulated to reduce heat loss.

Want Help with Gutter Maintenance or Upgrades?

We get it—climbing ladders and wrestling with soggy debris isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. If your gutters need a little extra attention, or if you’re ready to upgrade to seamless gutters, we’re happy to help.

Request a free gutter inspection or quote, and we’ll take care of it so you don’t have to.

A little gutter care now keeps your roofline, siding, and foundation protected for years to come. Your home will thank you.