The short answer
For most homes in Worcestershire, gutters should be cleared at least once a year. The best time is late autumn, once the leaves have finished falling, so your gutters are clear before the heaviest winter rain.
If your home is close to trees — common around the Malvern Hills and in many leafy parts of Worcester — book a clear twice a year: once in spring to remove seeds, blossom and moss, and again in late autumn.
Signs your gutters are blocked
Watch your gutters during heavy rain. Water pouring over the front edge instead of running to the downpipe is the clearest sign of a blockage. Other signs include grass or small plants growing along the gutter line, damp patches or green streaks on outside walls, dripping at the joints and gutters that sag or pull away from the fascia.
What happens if you leave it
A blocked gutter overflows every time it rains. That water soaks into brickwork and render, can rot timber fascias and soffits, and can lead to damp patches on inside walls. In winter, standing water in a blocked gutter can freeze, adding weight that strains brackets and joints. Clearing gutters is a small, regular cost that helps avoid much larger repair bills.
Is it safe to clear gutters yourself?
Bungalow gutters can sometimes be reached safely with the right equipment, but working from a ladder at height is one of the most common causes of falls at home. Professional gutter vacuum systems clear two and three-storey gutters from the ground, with no ladders against the gutter and no one on the roof.