By Sam Wasson
Updated Oct 12, 2022
By Sam Wasson
Updated Oct 12, 2022
We recommend the best products through an independent review process, and advertisers do not influence our picks. We may receive compensation if you visit partners we recommend. Read our advertiser disclosure for more info.
When hurricanes are on the horizon, it’s more important than ever to ensure your gutters are ready to take on the upcoming deluge of water. Gutters help protect your roof, walls, lawn, and foundation from heavy rainfall and overflow, so hurricane-proofing them is a must. In this article, we’ll go over all the basic steps to preparing your gutters for hurricanes.
Debris like leaves, branches, animal refuse, and general gunk from surrounding trees can build up in your gutters, creating blockages. If your rain gutters are clogged, they won’t be able to direct the massive amounts of water hurricanes can throw at you. If you haven’t cleaned your gutters since last fall, or even worse, last spring, it’s time to get a ladder and scoop. There are a few ways you can clean your gutters:
After you get most of the debris out of your gutter system, you can use a hose to rinse out the remainder of the gunk.
While cleaning out your system, you should take the time to check for any damage to individual pieces. If a portion of your gutters is damaged or worn down, they will not be able to function optimally, and this could lead to further damage or significant leaks. While inspecting, check for any of the following:
You can fix most of these issues at home, but you should call a professional for more serious damage, such as a collapsed gutter.
One final step before giving your gutters the stamp of approval is to check the overall drainage of the system. Gutters can have many small gaps, holes, or clogs that can be easily overlooked. You’ll ideally want a second person for this job, but you can do it alone in a pinch.
Gutter cleaning can be challenging in its own right. This video by Home Depot does a great job of explaining how to repair basic damage to a gutter system.
Hurricanes can cause a mess, especially when gutters are involved. When faced with the high winds of a hurricane, overhanging trees can result in leaves, seeds, pollen, and even entire tree limbs falling into your gutters. Worse, if the strong wings pull off large enough limbs, it can result in denting, broken gutter sections, or even a full collapse. To help prevent this, make sure to judiciously trim back your overhanging tree limbs before the hurricane hits.
You might also consider grabbing some gutter guards. These will help keep any flying debris from the hurricane from getting inside your system.
One important thing for homeowners to keep an eye on when the storm hits is window wells. If your downspouts let out right next to your home, the water may still flow down into these wells. To help avoid this, use a downspout extender to direct water flow further away from your home. During the storm, heavy rains may result in a flooded window well even if your gutters are directing water properly. A flooded window well can lead to problems, the most severe of which is a flooded basement and water damage. Your best method for protecting your window well is a good window well cover.
Checking your gutters might be the last thing on your mind during storm season. But, this system is arguably one of the most important, as it keeps large amounts of water from pooling along your foundation and walls. Good, seasonal gutter maintenance will help reduce the amount of hurricane prep you will need to make, so never forget to clean your gutters twice yearly, once during the spring and fall. Furthermore, if you suspect your gutters or roof sustained damage from strong winds, getting a roof inspection might be a good idea to help identify potential future water damage.
Other Gutters Resources
Get the best of House Method in your inbox
By creating an account you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy