Make sure your gutters are properly secured and drain toward the downspout, and, as a rule of thumb, be sure that you have at least one downspout for every 20-25 feet of gutter.

Home Fix: Dwight Barnett answers home-improvement questions. This week's topic is on pop-up gutter drains and how to keep house gutters from overflowing.

Gutters overflow because the drains or the gutters themselves are clogged. Gutters should be cleaned and maintained annually; if you live in a heavily wooded area, the gutters may need to be ...