Storm Season Checklist for Queensland Homes: Gutters First

Because all the rain off the roof runs into them. A summer storm sends a lot of water down your roof in a few minutes. A gutter full of leaves has nowhere to put it. That's when water goes over the fascia or back under the roof. So gutters and downpipes are job one on any storm list.

Under gum trees or palms, gutters fill faster than you'd think. If yours are full, book a clean before the storms start. We clear out the leaves and sludge, then check the water runs to the downpipe. Renting it out? Our rental guide covers who's responsible for the gutters.

Timing matters. The Queensland Government's guide to preparing your home (opens in a new tab) says “The best time to take action to prepare your home is before storm, cyclone and monsoon season.” RACQ (opens in a new tab) puts the summer storm season at “between September and March” in a typical year. We cover the best time to get your gutters cleaned in a separate guide.

Here's the list, from the roofline down. You can check most of it from the ground. Anything that means climbing a ladder or walking on the roof is a job for someone with the right gear.

No, and nobody should be on a roof in wind or rain. Wet tiles and metal get slippery, and storms bring strong gusts. Get the gutters done in a dry spell before the storms arrive. If a storm's already on its way, stay off the roof and deal with the gutters once it's passed.

Even on a dry day, gutter cleaning is ladder work, and a second storey or a steep block puts the gutter a long way up. Here's why ladder work is riskier than it looks. We're fully insured for roof work, and the quote is free.

The water ends up where it shouldn't. When the rain comes, it spills over the front, runs down behind the gutter, or backs up under the roof. Leaves that sit for months break down into sludge. That sludge holds water against the gutter, storm or no storm.

Allianz (opens in a new tab) spells out where that water can go. When gutters are clogged with leaves, sticks and branches, it says, “water can overflow and seep into your walls. This can cause damp, mould, and even problems with your home's foundations.”

Plants are the late sign. Once something's growing in your gutter, it's been full for a long time. Water spilling over the edge in heavy rain is another. Our guide on what's behind overflowing gutters covers who fixes each cause.

It depends on your insurer and your policy, so check before the storms, not after. Suncorp's own page (opens in a new tab) says “Suncorp Home Insurance does not cover damage caused by blocked gutters.” Other insurers word it their own way. Read your policy or call your insurer and ask.

Two other insurers put it like this. RACQ (opens in a new tab) says its cover is for insured events such as storms and floods, and it “specifically excludes wear and tear or maintenance.” Allianz (opens in a new tab) says its home insurance “can cover loss or damage from insured events like storms”. It adds that “it may not cover damage caused by wear and tear or poor maintenance.”

Both send you to your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), the document that sets out what your policy covers and what it doesn't. Every policy is different, so yours is the one that counts. Clear gutters are good upkeep either way. We checked each insurer's page on 23 September 2026.

Stay off the roof. Once a warning's out, it's too late for gutter work, and it isn't safe. Follow the official warnings and advice for your area. Gutters are a job for the weeks before storm season, not the day before a cyclone.

The Queensland Government has a list for when severe weather warnings are issued (opens in a new tab). It includes “Secure outdoor furniture and other garden items” and “Tune in and listen to your local radio station for updates on the event and further warnings and safety messages.”

If your home backs onto bush, the gutters matter in fire season as well. A gutter full of dry leaves is fuel sitting right along the edge of your roof. The Queensland Government's bushfire advice (opens in a new tab) lists “Keep gutters clear of leaf litter” as a job for before bushfire season. Same job, two reasons to do it.

Then it's worth asking about gutter guard. A clean gets your gutters ready for this storm season. If you'd rather not book one every year, ask us about our aluminium mesh while we're quoting. Every install includes a free gutter clean, and it comes with a written 10-year no blocked gutter guarantee.

We clean gutters and fit gutter guard across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. We're a family-owned team with over 25 years in the trade, and quotes are free.