To do their job, gutters and downspouts must be clear of leaves and debris. If they aren't, drain outlets will dam up and rainwater will fill the gutters, overflow, and eventually pull the gutters loose. Water that pools in troughs will rot wood gutters and rust sheet-metal ones. You can hire a service to clean your gutters, but doing it yourself can save you $100 or more. Plan to clean gutters at least twice a year-more often if the roof is directly beneath trees or you live in a region with frequent storms.