When it comes to curbside appeal, housesellers really have their work cut out for them during the dark and damp winter months.

It's just that bit more difficult to have your home gleaming and welcoming when the weather is against you. Trying to keep ahead of autumn squalls and winter storms and still have your windows spick and span is no joke, not to mention keeping the drive and porch free from invading leaves from the neighbours' trees. As difficult as it is, it's worth putting the effort, getting out there with your broom and cloth. Remember first impressions and all that jazz.

One key area where you will not be forgiven for ignoring, and a little more involved than sweeping, is drippy or weedy gutters. Buyers often comment if gutters are full of leaves and it could prompt them to wonder what other maintenance issues have not been handled. Aside from this, gutters hanging from the wall, visible leaks during heavy rain or weed growth, will create a bad first impression.

Tadhg Duggan from Apex Cleaning Services (01-2840362) says he gets lots of business from people preparing to sell. A gutter cleaning job will cost in the region of 70 and takes about one hour, he said. All sorts of objects end up in your gutter, causing blockage and eventual drip problems. Tadhg has rescued tennis balls, action men and toy cars from gutters. A real problem in new homes is nails, rubble, timber, slate and felt left behind by sloppy builders keen to get in and out as quick as possible, he said. Bits of slate are the worst offenders. They tend to get stuck around six inches down the pipe and all sorts of leaves, mud and moss get clogged in them. This will call for some serious dismantling and de-blocking operations.

Repairs and replacement of gutters will depend on the job itself but will generally cost around 12 to €15 a foot.