With the presence of any debris in your gutters, they will not be able to perform their duty of carrying and draining water safely away from the roof. This debris can be removed by hand, a handheld blower or outdoor vacuums. The cleaning job is easier when conditions are a little dry. To avoid compacting any debris as you clean, it is advisable to begin cleaning at the downpipes. Regularly cleaning your gutters can help to avoid larger problems in the future such as cracks or bending of the pipes that may be a much more costly repair.