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Watch during ordinary rain
From a safe ground-level position, note where water spills, whether downpipes discharge as expected and whether water runs onto walls or paths. In an Irish home, a short observation during rain can be more informative than inspecting a dry gutter from below.
Record a precise location
Photograph the affected section and mark it on a simple sketch. Note nearby trees and whether the issue follows leaf fall or appears throughout the year. Distinguish a blockage from a visibly detached joint where possible, but avoid claiming a diagnosis you cannot confirm.
Arrange suitable access
Do not improvise work at height to investigate a minor-looking defect. Use an appropriately equipped maintenance professional when access is unsafe or uncertain. Explain whether the gutter feeds a rainwater collector, so that cleaning and repairs account for the full route.
Check the result after the work
Observe the next rainfall and compare it with your earlier notes. Ensure overflow is not simply redirected to another vulnerable area. Keep maintenance records and schedule inspection around the conditions at your property, rather than assuming every roof needs attention on exactly the same calendar date.