Gutter Cleaning
How to prepare gutters for spring storms in the surrounding areas
By Chris Kohutek
Last updated August 27, 2026
Why spring storms test gutters
Spring in the areas around Dallas and Fort Worth brings heavy rain and wind in the same week. Wind fills gutters with leaves and twigs, and the rain that follows has nowhere to go when the channel is full, so it pours over the edge and down the siding.
A gutter that handles a normal rain can fail in a storm, because the volume is higher and the debris shifts to block the downspout. That is why a clean ahead of the season matters more than one after a problem appears.
What to clear before the season
Before spring storms arrive, the gutter channel should be cleared of all leaves and dirt, and the downspouts flushed to confirm flow. The pitch toward the outlet is checked, because a run that holds water will overflow even when it is clean.
Seals and joints are checked for separation, since storm water finds the weakest point first. Debris is hauled away so it cannot wash back into the gutter during the next rain.
Signs a clean is overdue
Water over the edge during a storm is the clearest sign, followed by stains on the siding below the gutterline and soil washed out at the foundation. A sagging run or plants growing in the channel means the debris has been there long enough to take root.
For homes in the surrounding areas, clearing gutters after the fall leaf drop and before spring storms is the simplest way to keep water moving where it should go.
