Gutters are the central part of your roof system and require regular maintenance to keep your property looking well and to prevent damage from the elements.By directing rainwater away from the perimeter of the building, they are the first line of defence -preventing water ingress to the interior of the structure. Debris such as grass, weeds, even birds nests will collect in the gutters and cause blockages. It is difficult to predict and prevent, however- as for the most part the contents of the gutter are very difficult to see from the ground. It is important that the gutters are cleaned regularly- bi-annually is preferred, Spring and Autumn being the ideal time, although if your property is located directly under trees more frequent cleaning may be required. It is advisable to minimally have the gutters cleaned before winter. If debris and water get trapped in the gutter it can freeze in the colder weather and form blocks of ice. This will put a strain on the gutter, the gutter brackets and also the gutter mounting. The trapped water can be particularly corrosive and cause damage or rusting to the gutters.