Overflowing gutters: causes and what to do

Look from the ground first. Most of the time it's leaves.

The answer in 2 lines. A gutter that overflows is almost always blocked (leaves, moss, a bird's nest), sagging so water cannot run to the downpipe, or the downpipe itself is blocked. You can check from the ground during rain and clear the grid at the bottom of the downpipe. Clearing the gutters themselves is work at height: use a gutter-cleaning company or a roofer. If you rent, tell your landlord in writing: they must keep gutters and drainpipes in repair.

The first 3 steps

While it is raining, look from the ground: is water spilling over along the whole length, or in one spot?
Once the rain stops, at the foot of the downpipe, pull away by hand (wearing gloves) any leaves blocking the gully grid. Do not lift heavy drain covers.
If water is running down a wall or coming inside, put buckets down, take photos and note the date.

Stop: danger

Think twice before using a ladder: a fall from a ladder can cause serious injuries. If you do, read the Ladder Association's Get a Grip advice first, never lean out, and never work alone.
Power lines often run close to gutters: never go near them with a ladder or a metal pole.
Never walk on the roof to reach a gutter, and never work on gutters in wind, rain or ice.
Water coming inside near a light or socket: switch off that circuit at the consumer unit if it is dry. Immediate danger: call 999.

What you can do yourself, and where to stop

From the ground: clear the grid at the foot of the downpipe, check water runs away into the drain, and direct water coming out of the downpipe away from the wall.
Look closely: a sagging gutter, one coming away from the wall or dripping at the joints often shows up on a zoomed-in photo.
Stop there: cleaning gutters means working at height. A gutter-cleaning company using a vacuum pole from the ground, or a roofer, is safer. To find a vetted roofer, use the NFRC TrustMark roofing contractors search. Whoever you choose, ask for a written price, check they have public liability insurance, and ask for before-and-after photos.

Possible causes

Leaves and moss: blocked gutter, especially near trees and in autumn.
Overflows in the same place every time: a local blockage, or the gutter has dropped and lost its fall towards the downpipe.
Water not going down the pipe: blocked downpipe, or a missing or clogged leaf guard (the little cage at the top of the downpipe).
Only in very heavy rain: gutter too small for the roof, or exceptional rain.
Dripping at the joints: worn seals or a split gutter.
Gutter pulling away from the wall: broken or loose brackets.

What not to do

Climbing a ladder in wind or rain, or leaning out sideways to reach further.
Using a pressure washer on the roof or gutters: it can lift tiles and force water inside.
Ignoring a gutter that overflows onto the wall: over time it causes damp inside.

Who pays and who to tell

If you rent: in England, landlords must keep the structure and exterior in repair, which includes gutters and drainpipes (Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, section 11). Who clears leaves from them is not set out in that law: check your tenancy agreement. A tenant is generally not expected to do work at height. Report the problem to your landlord in writing. See Shelter England: landlord and tenant responsibilities for repairs.
If you own your home: clearing, repairs and replacement are yours to arrange.
In a flat or a shared building: gutters are usually the freeholder's or managing agent's responsibility; tell them.
Damage caused by the overflow (damp, water inside): depends on your home insurance. Insurers can refuse when the cause is lack of maintenance, so keep receipts for gutter clearing. If you disagree with a refusal, complain to the insurer, then, after 8 weeks or a final response you disagree with, to the Financial Ombudsman Service (free).

Good to know

Have gutters cleared at least once a year, after the leaves fall, and more often under big trees. This is common good practice, not a legal rule.
Ask the professional to fit leaf guards or downpipe cages.
Have overhanging branches cut back.
Gutters and the roof: the same professional can often check both. See our guide on slipped roof tiles.

In the house Jess rents in Norwich, the gutter spills over the front door every time it rains. From the ground she sees leaves in the gutter and clears the grid at the bottom of the downpipe, but it keeps overflowing. She emails her landlord with a photo. A gutter-cleaning company sent by the landlord clears the gutter with a vacuum pole and finds a broken bracket, which the landlord has repaired.

A made-up story, for illustration.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on 1 November 2026, for England. Confidence: high for the safety steps and the landlord's repair duty in England (section 11); medium for who clears leaves in a rented home, which depends on the tenancy agreement; "once a year" is good practice, not a legal requirement. This guide describes common cases, not legal advice.