Proper maintenance of your guttering and drainage system is very important. If your guttering gets blocked, build-ups of water can cause damp in your home, and may penetrate into your building, particularly when the blocked gutter is attached to a roof.

Not only does a build-up of water have the potential to cause problems in your home, it can also look unsightly, particularly in Autumn when leaves can build up in the water and decompose. This can also cause nasty smells, as other materials may also find their way into the build-up of water.

In the case of roof-gutters, blockages can also cause problems with cascading water, which can noisy. Depending on the location of the blockage, it can also cascade onto people, which is inconvenient.

Periodically, you should go around all the gutters around your home in order to remove any build-ups of material, particularly if you live in an area with lots of trees, as the leaves can easily cause a blockage. For this task, you will need a long ladder and a bucket. A ladder hook and a pair of gloves is also advised. Attach the bucket to the ladder-hook, to allow one hand to hold the ladder at all times. Simply remove any debris from the gutter and place it in the bucket - don't simply spread it out or try to wash it away, as it will simply clog up again. Gloves are recommended for this task, not only as the debris is likely to be smelly, but also because you can never be sure what may be in the debris - leaves with sharp points may only give a small scratch, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Drainpipes may also suffer from blockages, though this is less common as gravity usually prevents things jamming - though occasionally items such as twigs may get jammed, slowing the rate of drainage. In a case such as this, it may be possible to fix using high-pressure water, or a long stick if available. It may be wise to call a professional, as balancing on a ladder while attempting to remove a blockage with a long stick or pole can be dangerous.

The worst drain in the home for blockages is usually the kitchen sink drain. This is because it is the most frequently used, and is often used to pour away items that are not always totally liquid, particularly where a dishwasher uses the same drainage point, as foodstuffs and emulsified fats can rapidly layer and clog the drain.

Simple precautions can be taken to prevent this, including scraping all foodstuffs from crockery into bins, and regularly cleaning the dishwasher filter to prevent build-up inside. Liquid fats can be poured into a container for separate disposal.

However, even with the above precautions, blockages can still happen. Clear these by using a plunger, or perhaps with a caustic chemical which will dissolve the foodstuffs. It may be possible with some drains to reach into them and remove any build-ups. If you choose to do this, wear gloves (and try not to breath through your nose...).

Most drains have a grille or cover which should stop most solid objects getting into the drain itself. However, these can in turn cause problems as the blockage is much close to ground level, and thus it takes less water to cause a flood. It can also cause nasty smells, as any foodstuffs will rot faster with the air around them; and of course the smell has less distance to travel. However your drain is protected, you should still clean it out as often as possible, to prevent blockages, and the problems associated with them.

If the blockage is too severe, you may wish to call in a professional company to sort out the blockage for you. They will have the tools, technology and skills require to move any blockages - in some cases, simple steel rods will clear the blockage. In more extreme cases, professional drain clearers will use high-pressure water jets, which remove any debris from the pipe walls; or electro-mechanical tools which clear any debris as well as long-standing deposits and dried-up waste.