In Covina, most of the year's rain falls between December and March, and February is usually the wettest month. That means gutters sit through months of dry weather collecting leaves, dust and seed pods, then face their biggest test all at once. A little preparation in fall prevents most overflow, leaks and water damage. Here's a practical checklist.
1. Clean out the gutters before the first storm
Remove leaves, needles and sediment from the troughs, especially at inside corners and around outlets, where debris collects first. Santa Ana winds, which typically blow in fall and winter, can refill gutters quickly, so time the cleaning as close to the first forecast storm as practical. Homes under large trees may need another cleaning in midwinter. Our guide on how often to clean gutters in Southern California helps you judge.
2. Flush every downspout
A clean gutter with a blocked downspout still overflows. Run a garden hose into each outlet and watch the discharge at the bottom. A weak trickle or water backing up means a clog, usually at the top outlet or an elbow. If downspouts connect to underground drains, check that water comes out at the other end. Repeat clogs are a sign that the downspout may be too small. See downspout installation and repair.
3. Check where the water goes
One inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of roof produces roughly 620 gallons of runoff. Every downspout should send that water at least a few feet from the foundation onto ground that slopes away from the house. Look for:
- extensions that have been moved, crushed or disconnected
- splash blocks that have sunk or tilted toward the wall
- bare soil or washed-out mulch below a downspout
- water directed onto walkways, driveways or a neighbor's yard
4. Inspect seams, corners and end caps
A long, hot dry season dries out the sealant at joints. Look for rust streaks, mineral stains or gaps at corners, end caps and outlets. Small gaps can be resealed with a gutter sealant on a dry day. Many leaks, or leaks along sectional seams, are a job for gutter repair.
5. Check hangers and slope
From the ground, sight along each gutter. It should run straight with a slight, even slope toward the downspout. Dips, bows or sections pulling away from the house mean loose hangers. Standing water a day after a storm means the slope is off. Both get worse under the weight of water and wet debris.
6. Look at the fascia and soffits
Peeling paint, dark stains or soft wood along the roof edge suggest water has been getting behind the gutters. Rot spreads during the wet season, so catching it in fall is cheaper. See fascia and soffit repair.
7. Trim branches over the roof
Cutting back limbs that overhang the roof reduces debris and keeps branches from scraping gutters and shingles in the wind. In fire-prone foothill areas, clearing debris from the roof and gutters is also standard wildfire preparation.
8. Decide whether guards make sense
If you're cleaning gutters more than once a season, or your home is near brush, gutter guards may pay for themselves in reduced cleaning and fewer clogs. Our honest take on whether gutter guards are worth it covers when they help and when they don't.
9. Consider capturing some of the water
Downspouts can feed rain barrels for watering plants. Use a barrel with a screened inlet and an overflow outlet that directs extra water away from the foundation, and keep it covered to prevent mosquitoes.
When to call a professional
Two-story gutters, steep roofs, widespread leaks, sagging runs, rotted fascia and gutters that overflow even when clean are worth a professional look. For an overview of local gutter work and areas served, see our main guide to Covina gutter services, or call (626) 555-0148.