Clean, Clean, Clean... Gutters fill with leaves and other debris and become clogged if you have trees nearby. Just ask gutter installers. They'll tell you that you should clean your gutters twice a year, once in the spring after the trees bud out, and once in late fall after the leaves drop. That's a lot of trips up and down a ladder, and few of us are that disciplined. But clogged gutters overflow, soak the siding and cause paint to peel, dampen basements, erode foundations, splash against the building and rot wood, and wash out the petunias. Look for early signs of clogged gutters -- erosion in the flower bed or stain streaks on the gutter and fascia -- and clean the gutters before extensive damage occurs.

Why wouldn't I just clean them myself? According to the National Safety Council, falls are the #1 cause of accidental death and injury at home, causing over 6,500 deaths and almost 2,000,000 hospital-related injuries every year! Did you know that YOU may be liable if the person or company you hire does not carry proper personal liability and worker's compensation insurance? It's just not worth it! Some people have their landscapers clean their gutters who usually don't have the proper insurance. You should only have a professional and fully insured gutter expert like "A&M/Total" clean your gutters.

Poor rainwater drainage can lead to costly repairs.