What You’ll Wish You’d Cleaned Before That First Summer Storm
Once summer storms start rolling in, they don’t give you much warning. Gutters overflow, water backs up, and wind whips around anything that’s not tied down. Taking time to clean a few key areas before the season starts can help prevent bigger problems when the rain hits hard.
Gutters and Downspouts
If your gutters are full of leaves or the downspouts are clogged, that water’s going to find another way out—and usually right into places you don’t want it. Clean them before the first heavy rain to keep water flowing away from your roof and foundation like it should.
Driveway Drains or Channels
Check any low spots, grates, or trench drains that collect water during a storm. If they’re full of silt, leaves, or gravel, they won’t drain anything. Clear them out before the first big downpour so you’re not dealing with standing water or erosion later.
Porch and Patio Debris
Leaves, dirt, and random junk love to collect in corners of porches and patios—and during a storm, that stuff gets blown around or washed into your yard. A quick sweep or rinse keeps it from becoming a soggy, muddy mess stuck to your feet.
Window Tracks
Window tracks fill with grime all year, and once rainwater starts pouring in, it mixes with that gunk and can stain or smell. Take a minute to wipe them down while the weather’s still dry so summer rains don’t stir up a mess every time you crack a window.
Yard Toys and Loose Tools
Before the first storm hits, take stock of what’s sitting out in the yard. Lightweight items like buckets, toys, or tarps can blow across the yard—or into a window. Put them away now so you’re not chasing them in the wind or replacing broken things later.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
