April showers bring not only May flowers. If you've got clutter in your gutter, they'll bring wet and messy trouble, too. Rain gutters have only one purpose -- to catch and safely carry away any water that runs off your roof. However, gutters also catch leaves and other miscellaneous objects that don't drain away. Suddenly your rain-carrying system is packed, and unable to collect and reroute run-off. The result: wet outside walls, possible leaks and maybe a flooded basement or crawlspace. First, scoop out as much debris as you can by hand or with a specialty tool like a gutter grabber. Dump the debris into a bucket or trashbag kept topside. Then clear downspouts with a garden hose. When they're cleaned out, run water into the gutters to check for leaks, and look for low spots. Stop leaks with silicone caulk or a gutter patch kit. Lift low spots by pushing up on the nearest hanger. When it next pours, you've covered. And that's the On The House tip for today.