Autumn gutter, downpipe & outdoor winter-proofing checklist
One-page walkthrough to clear leaves, protect pipes and stop water damage before the first freeze
- Download it the moment you've paid
- Print at home, or use it on your phone or tablet
- Secure checkout by Stripe
Why it helps
A practical one-page-style checklist for clearing gutters, checking downpipes and winter-proofing your home's exterior before the first frost. Covers safe ladder-free and ladder-based clearing steps, downpipe blockage fixes, an honest buying guide to gutter guards, and a full outdoor winter-proofing list for taps, hoses, drains and garden furniture.
What's inside
- A safety-first, step-by-step process for clearing gutters without needing to call anyone out
- A dedicated downpipe and drainage section covering the most common (and most missed) blockage points
- A plain-English buying guide to gutter guards, balloons and strainers so you don't overspend on the wrong product
- A combined roof, fascia and soffit check to spot related problems while you're already up the ladder
- A wider outdoor winter-proofing checklist covering taps, hoses, drains, furniture and fencing
- Guidance on exactly when a job is worth paying a professional for, and when it isn't
- A simple year-round maintenance schedule so this doesn't become an annual panic again
Take a look inside
Questions
I live in a flat or don't have ladder access – is this checklist still useful?
Yes. Sections 3, 4, 6 and 7 cover downpipes, drainage, guard products and outdoor winter-proofing tasks that don't require roof access, and section 7 helps you brief a contractor clearly if you're arranging for someone else to do the gutter work.
How often should gutters actually be cleared?
Most UK homes need a full clear once a year in late autumn after leaf-fall, with a quick visual check after any major storm. Properties directly under large trees may need a second clear in late spring.
Do gutter guards mean I never have to clean them again?
No product removes maintenance entirely – guards reduce how much debris gets in and how often you need to clear things out, but they still need an occasional check, especially after storms.
What if I find a leak or damage I can't fix myself?
Note exactly where it is (which run, which joint, which side of the house) using the prompts in this guide, then use section 7 to decide whether it's a straightforward repair or one to bring in a professional for.