You probably have a long list of home maintenance projects you want to get done before spring is over. The last one you may be thinking about is cleaning your eavestroughs. However, after a heavy accumulation of snow and rain, cleaning and inspecting your eavestrough is an important task that shouldn't be left on the back burner.

Cleaning your eavestroughs every fall and spring can prevent costly damages from creeping up later on. If it's been a while since you last cleaned your eavestroughs, you'll want to take a look at some of the warning signs below: 

If you notice an overflow of water on rainy days, this could be a sign that you have a drainage blockage. Because of built-up debris, the water has nowhere else to go except up and out. Eavestroughs are designed to direct water away from your home, so this is a clear warning sign if you see any water pooling around your house. Water pooling can cause mould or mildew, cracks in the foundation and even leaks. A little water at a time may not seem like a big deal, but constant water erosion can cause serious (and expensive) damage to your house.

If you notice plants growing in your eavestrough, this is a sign that you have trapped debris and moisture. Seeds, dirt and sand can easily get caught in your eavestrough, and it's the perfect environment for plant life to sprout. Additionally, plant life can be an inviting home to wildlife, which brings us to our next warning sign.

Leaves, dirt or sticks could get stuck in your eavestrough and may signal to animals in your area that your gutters would make a fine home. If you notice small animals hanging around your roof or eavestrough, this could be a warning sign that they're using plants, vegetation or other debris as bedding or food. Trapped debris may also bring harmful insects that can cause additional damage to your exterior home. 

When trapped debris such as leaves, dirt or even snow gets stuck in the gutters, they may begin to sag or bulge. Consistent water corrosion can cause rust on eavestroughs and cause them to sag, crack or deteriorate.