Gutters and downspouts are the type of equipment on a house that perform without much notice—until they stop working. Then it’s hard to ignore the cascades of water and flooding that can occur.

When gutters and downspouts become clogged or fail, rainwater flowing down house walls to the ground can cause a great deal of damage. At the very least, this water taxes paint and wriggles into cracks, contributing to the eventual decay of siding and the house’s structure. At the worst, moisture penetrates windows, invades walls, undermines foundations, and floods basements.

This is why it’s important to maintain clear, well-functioning gutters and drainage systems. They must be able to handle rainwater removal without fail to prevent these occurrences. But to keep this important equipment working effectively, you must be vigilant. In other words, don’t wait for the next big rainstorm to find out the locations of all the clogs, sags, and leaks.

That’s where this section of HomeTips comes in. It will show you how gutter systems work, explain the various types of gutters and downspouts available, and give you step-by-step advice for installing, repairing, and maintaining your gutters.