Storm Damage | Gutter Maids

9 Steps to Take After a Storm Knocks Debris Into Your Gutters

dpadmin — Tue, 26 May 2026 15:14:30 +0000

Storms in the Twin Cities do not mess around. One good thunderstorm can send branches, leaves, shingle granules, and all kinds of debris straight into your gutters – and if you leave it sitting there, the damage adds up fast. Clogged gutters overflow, water pools against your foundation, and what started as a simple cleanup turns into a much bigger problem. The good news is that if you know what to do and tackle it in the right order, you can get your gutters back in shape before the next storm rolls through. Here is exactly where to start.

1. Wait Until It Is Completely Safe to Go Outside

Before you do anything, make sure the storm has fully passed and the area around your home is safe. Walk the perimeter carefully and look for downed power lines, hanging tree branches, or any other hazards that could put you at risk. If you see a downed line anywhere near your home, stay back and call your utility company immediately. No gutter cleanup is worth getting hurt over – safety comes first, every single time.

2. Document the Damage Before You Touch Anything

Once it is safe to move around, grab your phone and take photos and videos of everything before you start cleaning. Capture wide shots of your roofline, gutters, downspouts, and yard, and then move in close to get detailed shots of any dents, sagging sections, or debris buildup. If your gutters were damaged in the storm and you need to file a homeowners insurance claim, this documentation is what makes the difference between a smooth process and a frustrating one. Take more photos than you think you need.

3. Check for Structural Damage From the Ground

Before you set up a ladder, do a full inspection from the ground first. Use binoculars or your phone’s zoom to get a closer look at your gutters and roofline without climbing. You are looking for dents, cracks, sections that are sagging or pulling away from the fascia, and any brackets that appear loose or broken. If you spot serious structural damage, like a full section of gutter hanging off the house, that is a job for a professional, not a DIY cleanup.

4. Set Up Your Ladder the Right Way

If the gutters look structurally sound and you are comfortable doing the cleanup yourself, set up your ladder on firm, level ground. If the ground is soft or uneven after the storm, place a wide piece of plywood under the feet for stability. Use a ladder stabilizer or standoff bar so the rails are not resting directly against the gutters – aluminum gutters dent easily under that pressure. Always keep three points of contact on the ladder, move it frequently as you work, and never lean or reach past your comfort zone.

5. Clear Debris by Hand in Small Sections

Start scooping. Work in three to six-foot sections and use heavy-duty gloves and a gutter scoop to pull out leaves, twigs, mud, and anything else the storm pushed in. Storm debris is often heavier and more compacted than what you find during a routine cleaning, so take your time and do not rush through it. Hook a bucket to your ladder to collect the debris as you go rather than tossing it into the yard – it makes cleanup much easier when you are done and keeps your landscaping from getting buried.

6. Flush the Entire Gutter System With a Hose

Once the bulk of the debris is cleared, grab a garden hose and flush the entire gutter system from one end to the other. Start at the far end, away from the downspout, and let the water push everything toward the drain. While the water is running, watch closely for overflow along the edges, which signals that something is still blocking the flow. This step also helps you check whether your gutters are still pitched correctly, because water should always be moving toward the downspout, not sitting still or running backward.

7. Check Every Downspout for Blockages

Downspouts are where debris likes to hide after a storm, and a clogged downspout can make your entire gutter system useless. After flushing, check that water is flowing out of the bottom of each downspout with good pressure. If it is trickling slowly or not coming out at all, you have a clog. Remove the strainer at the top and try flushing again from above with the hose on full pressure. If the clog does not clear, you may need to detach a section of the downspout to manually remove the blockage before reconnecting everything.

8. Inspect for Hidden Damage Once Everything Is Clean

Now that the gutters are clear, take one more careful look at the entire system. Check the seams and joints for leaks, look at the brackets to make sure they are still secure, and run your hand along the gutter to feel for dents or soft spots you may have missed. Also check your downspout splash blocks and the ground around your foundation for signs of erosion or pooling, which can indicate that water was overflowing during the storm. Catching small issues now is always cheaper than dealing with bigger ones later.

9. Call a Professional if Anything Looks Off

If you found significant damage during your inspection – sections pulling away from the house, large dents, leaks at the seams, or anything that does not look right – do not try to push through it yourself. A professional gutter company can inspect the full system, identify damage you may have missed, and make sure everything is properly secured before the next storm. This is especially important in the Twin Cities, where storm season is not a one-time event – it comes back around fast.

Storm Cleanup Is a Lot Easier When You Have Gutter Maids in Your Corner

You should not have to stress about what a storm left behind. Gutter Maids is a family-owned business serving homeowners across the Twin Cities, and we make gutter cleaning easy, reliable, and completely hassle-free. Whether a storm just hit or you are overdue for a cleaning, our team will get your gutters cleared, flowing, and ready for whatever comes next. Contact us today for a free estimate and let us take it from here.

How Winter Weather Can Damage Your Gutters

Gutter Maids — Sun, 27 Nov 2022 11:40:16 +0000

Here in Minneapolis, the winters are historically long and cold, both of which can bring along a decent amount of issues with it, and many of those involve things in or around a home. Gutters can sometimes be the site of some problems, and we at Gutter Maids would like you to be aware of these potential issues so that you can prevent damage to your gutters as well as other areas that can be affected by them.

Problems Minnesota Homeowners Frequently With Gutters in Winter

Icicles

Not only are icicles dangerous because they can fall and cause injuries or even death in some cases but they can weigh down the gutters and damage roofing materials. Depending on their length and weight when they break off, they might even bring a part of the roof with them! Just the weight alone can cause gutters to sag and bend, meaning they won’t work properly to direct water flow around your home and cause potential damage to your foundation.

Ice Dams

These are especially common issues that homeowners in Minneapolis are faced with. Because they can melt and leak water into your roof and home, these ridges of ice that build up at the roof edge above the gutter can cause roofing to be pushed up and cause further issues with the inside of the home. This then causes water damage and mold to build up inside the attic space. Although the cause of ice dams is complicated and has a lot to do with attic ventilation and insulation, clogged gutters contribute to the problem. When water gets trapped in the gutters it will freeze, resulting in even more ice build-up.

Excessive Snow

Since Minnesota is a state that sees a large amount of annual snow, this is one of the biggest issues to think about. Minneapolis gets on average ap 45.3 inches of snow each year, and there are years where the city has over 100 days with at least one inch of snow cover. That’s more than one-fourth of the year!

This weight that is put on a home from all that snow and ice can cause further issues to happen in the house. You don’t want this to weigh down the roof and end up coming through. It’s important to take steps to limit snow build-up. But there’s also a problem when all that snow begins to melt on a warm, sunny day. Your gutters may not be able to handle all that water at once, especially if they are already bent or clogged with leaves and debris left over from the fall. Water can leak behind the gutters, rotting the fascia boards.

Conclusion

Winter is hard on homes in Minneapolis, and gutter problems often arise in tandem. But when you do the proper maintenance throughout the year on the home, and you stay up on snow removal, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about any of these issues. Clean the gutters, reduce the chances of ice dams by having adequate attic ventilation and take down icicles when they are noticed. Call Gutter Maids in Minneapolis if you need further help with gutters. Get a good inspection as a part of your spring maintenance, and then get them repaired or replaced before the heavy spring rains start!

04/22 – Spring Storms Surround Southern And Northern Minnesota

Gutter Maids — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 06:41:15 +0000

While everyone around the country spent the last couple of weeks welcoming in the spring weather and enjoying the slight increase in temperatures, Southern and Northern Minnesota residents had to take cover from the severe spring storms shaking up the area. The storm threats began on April 12th, near the Twin Cities, where a line of thunderstorms started rolling in. Residents were told to prepare for severe storm conditions and expect some roof and property damage.

In the southern parts of Minnesota, several towns and cities were placed on tornado watch as wind speeds began to pick up drastically. In Faribault, nearly a dozen semi-trucks were toppled over on Interstate 35, which led to a prolonged road closure. Residents were warned to minimize any long-distance traveling as conditions outside were less than favorable for travel.

In Northwestern Minnesota, blizzard-like conditions descended upon the area and left several towns and cities covered in a blanket of snow and hail. Much of the area was placed on winter storm watch as conditions worsened. In Canon Falls, residents took to social media to document the hail pelting down on their homes, causing quite a racket on their rooftops.

Several roof damages were reported across the state, with homeowners losing shingles, gutters being torn off homes, and trees crashing onto rooftops.

Here’s a preliminary summary that the @NWSLaCrosse office put together of the tornadoes that occurred across southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa on April 12, 2022 #mnwx #iawx https://t.co/jmroaZO8yL

— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) April 13, 2022

Two tornadoes touched down in Southern Minnesota, near the Iowa border. The first tornado, an EF-1 tornado, made its way through Spring Valley. The wind speeds of the tornado reached speeds of up to 100mph. Residents were urged to go underground as the tornado destroyed several farm buildings. The second tornado, an EF-2 tornado, made landfall in Taopi, in Mower County and caused significant damage to the area. The storm’s 135mph winds damaged many homes, farm buildings, and commercial buildings.

Choosing a reliable gutter cleaning service provider in Minnesota is essential in a disaster situation, so make sure that you choose wisely. You can count on Gutter Maids for professional and reliable gutter cleaning services in Minnesota.

11/11/21 – Blizzard Warning Issued For Minnesota

Gutter Maids — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 07:03:18 +0000

A blizzard warning has been issued for Minnesota, which takes effect from 6 pm Wednesday 11/11 to 6 pm Friday 11/12. The blizzard warning was issued as a result of an intensifying storm moving over the Minnesota area.

Witches of November

A trough of low pressure was spotted making its way over North and South Dakota. Weather professionals are unsure of the exact strength of the storm but have warned that residents should brace themselves for strong winds, heavy rains, and up to 6 inches of snow, commonly referred to as the “November witch.”

Image via mprnews.org

Soaking rains have already started to wash into Minnesota. This snow is set to mark the first accumulating snowfall of the winter season, officially ushering Minnesota into the cold season. This weekend, Minnesota residents will also experience some of the coldest air so far this season.

This time of year is notorious for some of the strongest winter storms in the Midwest. The “Witches of November” pack a cold, and miserable punch.

Winter Preparation

Considerable snowfall can negatively affect your home’s gutter system, especially if they’re already clogged with dirt and debris. Snow accumulation combined with the weight of debris can lead to your gutters bending and breaking under the pressure. Having clean, functional gutters are essential for your Minnesota home to make it through Fall and Winter. Your home’s gutters are responsible for efficiently draining excess water away from your home’s roofing system. If your gutters are incapable of effectively draining water, it could lead to roofing damages and water leaking inside your home.

If you need help cleaning your gutters, don’t hesitate to call Gutter Maids. We are Minnesota’s leading gutter cleaning specialists. Allow Gutter Maids to help you prepare your home for the Winter.