Gutters Still Overflowing? Blocked Downpipes Explained

If your gutters still overflow when it rains, the downpipe is often the problem. When a downpipe is blocked, the water has nowhere to go, so it backs up and spills over the front of the gutter. We flush every downpipe on a gutter clean and rod out blockages at no extra charge.

Signs your downpipe is blocked

• Water spilling over the gutter in heavy rain, even though the gutter looks clear.
• Little or no water coming out of the bottom of the downpipe when it's raining.
• Water pooling in the gutter near the top of the downpipe.
• Damp patches or dark streaks on the wall below the gutter line.

What blocks a downpipe?

• Leaves and tree debris. The main culprit from autumn through to January.
• Moss off the roof. Heavy moss sheds into gutters in the rain and gets washed into the downpipe.
• Bird nests. Mostly in spring. Nesting material compacts and can block a downpipe completely.
• Silt and grit. Fine dirt builds up in the bends and slows the water down until it backs up.

Why it matters

Water that can't get down the downpipe runs over the front of the gutter and down your walls. Over time that means damp patches inside, stained render and rotting fascia boards. In winter, trapped water can freeze and push joints and brackets apart.

How we clear it

1. 1 We check the gutters with a camera and clear every section from the ground with our gutter vac.
2. 2 We flush every downpipe top to bottom with water.
3. 3 If a downpipe is badly blocked, we rod it out. There's no extra charge for this.
4. 4 We run water through the whole system to make sure it flows freely to the drain.

Gutter cleaning starts from €80 including VAT for a terraced house or a semi with front and back gutters. A semi with a side gutter is €100 and a detached house is from €120. There's no extra charge for blocked gutters, rodding downpipes or guards, and no travel charge. See the 2026 gutter cleaning price guide.

Local pages: gutter cleaning in Castlebar, Westport, Ballina, the rest of Mayo, Galway and Tuam.

Can I clear it myself?

You can safely clear leaves from the drain at the bottom of the downpipe. Anything that means going up a ladder, especially in wet or windy weather, is better left to a team with the right equipment and insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions