With the presidential election approaching, voters are interested in the candidates’ stance on key issues such as inflation and immigration.

But what about your views on gutters?

Wait, what?

That’s true. In an interview with SubwayTakes, the vice presidential candidate said Tim Walz explained: “The most neglected part of a home is the gutters. This is a personal matter for me.”

Many viewers were shocked and at the same time pleased that Walz could not, so to speak, pull his head out of the gutter.

“Like everyone else, I was surprised that Walz was so enthusiastic about gutters, but he’s right – gutters are often the forgotten part of the house,” says Chris CounahanPresident of gutter protection company LeafFilter. “It’s time for gutters to make their big comeback.”

Clean your gutters

Walz’s “personal” feud with the gutters has its origins in his previous struggles with maintaining his house.

“I’ve had problems with gutters before,” he admitted. “The basement gets wet. Ice dams form. That causes a lot of problems.”

To prevent this, it is important to stop problems before they occur.

“Cleaning the gutter is important because it prevents the accumulation of debris such as leaves and dirt, thus ensuring proper water drainage,” says Counahan.

This can prevent problems such as water damage to the roof, foundation and walls and prevent the risk of mold growth.

“If gutters are not cleaned regularly and water overflows from the gutters, it can run along the foundation of your home, freeze and cause cracks,” warns Counahan.

In fact, foundation damage caused by clogged gutters can result in damage that can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair.

So if you notice that your gutters are warped, sagging, coming away from the house, clogged with debris, or not draining properly or in an unusual way, it may be time to call a professional to save yourself more trouble later.

Protect your gutters

Walz recommends putting a so-called “gutter helmet” over the gutters.

“It covers it, lets water through and keeps it out of your house,” he says. “I see this all the time.”

Gutter guards enclose the entire gutter, sitting like a lid on a box, preventing gutters from becoming clogged and requiring expensive repairs, Counahan says.

“Gutter guards deter animals like raccoons, birds and squirrels from nesting in your gutters,” he says. “They also eliminate the need for homeowners to climb ladders to clean gutters, which is incredibly dangerous.”

Maintain your gutters

Walz says he looks into his gutters “surprisingly quite often.”

That’s a good thing, because it’s incredibly important to do routine maintenance on your gutters every six months and after high winds or storms.

“This is an easy way for homeowners to protect their home’s foundation and ensure its long-term value, especially given the increasing weather and climate-related issues of recent years,” says Counahan.

If Walz makes it to the White House, don’t be surprised if you see new gutters on the most famous home in the country.

“I try not to judge others too quickly,” says Walz. “But when I see a well-maintained gutter, that says a lot about someone.”