Why do gutters clog so quickly on wooded lots?
Because the trees are close and the debris is constant. Leaves fall in autumn, then seeds, catkins and twigs follow in spring, and a roof pitched toward the gutter funnels all of it in. On a shaded lot a gutter may need clearing more than once a year.
Oaks and maples shed in different seasons. Pine needles pack tightly and block downspout outlets.
The guide on roofing under trees covers moss, debris and gutters together, and is worth reading before you choose a leaf guard.
How does winter damage gutters?
Ice and snow add weight, and a gutter full of frozen water is heavy. Sliding snow can bend hangers and pull the run away from the house, and ice dams push upward against the lowest shingle courses. The first thaw often shows damage that built up through the cold.
Gutters that held leaves into winter freeze solid and can tear away. A downspout that is blocked with ice sends meltwater over the top.
Clear gutters in late autumn and consider whether hangers are spaced closely enough for snow country. Roughly 45 inches of snow falls in a typical winter in the Danbury area.
Do gutters cause roof leaks?
They can. A clogged gutter holds water against the lowest shingles and can force it under the edge. A gutter hung too high can catch water behind it, and wet fascia can rot. Fixing the gutter often removes the cause of a leak that looks like a roof problem.
Check for a stain on the ceiling just inside an exterior wall, since that is where edge leaks tend to show. It can look like an ice dam leak and may have the same remedy.
Repair or replace?
Repair when the gutter is sound and the problem is hangers, seams or debris. Replace when it is rusted through, bent, wrongly pitched or hung on rotted wood. A roofer who looks at the fascia and the roof edge together can say which, and why.
A gutter that has been patched repeatedly is a sign. If you replace the roof soon, replacing gutters at the same time saves a second set-up.
Where should downspouts empty on a lakeside or hillside lot?
Away from the foundation, on ground that slopes away from the house, and clear of walls, steps and the shoreline. On a sloped lot the discharge may need an extension or a buried drain. Ask the roofer to set the outlets so water leaves the property safely.
A downspout that empties against the footing sends water into the basement or crawlspace. On a lake lot, it can wash soil toward the shore, and on a hillside it can gouge a channel.
Lake associations may set rules for runoff near the water, so check before extending a pipe toward the shoreline. A roofer can see how the land drains and propose a sensible discharge, and a splash block or an extension is a cheap fix.
