TOMORROW is National Gutters Day. Although it's probably not the most glamorous date for your diary, it's definitely worth reminding yourself that it's time to spend just a few minutes checking the condition of your gutters and drains. Something as simple as removing clots of leaves and other debris could actually save you from having to spend hundreds of pounds at a later date to put right any damage caused by blockages.

Crucially, after the wind and heavy rainfall last winter those simple checks might be more vital then ever as the legacy of those conditions could be serious damage including blocked pipes and leaking water courses.

National Gutters Day was established by The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), Britain's oldest heritage charity. This annual event marks the end of SPAB's annual National Maintenance Week (November 20 - 27), an awareness campaign designed to encourage everyone who owns or looks after a building - new or old - to take a few simple steps at the beginning of winter to ensure that their property is ready for anything that the season can throw at them, especially in these increasingly wet, windy and unpredictable days.

This year, SPAB's 14th annual National Maintenance Week campaign is led by broadcaster, author, historian and archaeologist Neil Oliver - a familiar face from popular TV programmes including, Coast, The Vikings, A History of Scotland and A History of Ancient Britain. He says: Neil says. "When I travelled round the country for BBC's Coast series, the importance of protecting a building against the ravages of the wind and the weather was very apparent. I could see it was a constant battle. Maintenance makes a difference – never put it off.

"As an archaeologist I'm very familiar with the care challenges faced by significant, historic buildings which don't conform to a standard pattern. Planned and regular maintenance is vital to ensure that they have a future as well as a past. That message is equally applicable to buildings of all types and all ages."

Water damage is a particular concern. The annual clearing of gutters and drains can be much cheaper and less inconvenient than having to cope with a serious outbreak of dry rot in timber roof trusses following years of neglect, or dealing with a flooded basement or ground floor because of a blocked drain.

The ever-practical Romans actually had a goddess of the drains - Cloacina. These days, instead of seeking divine inspiration, simply visit SPAB's dedicated website, maintainyourbuilding.org.uk which is packed with helpful information to help you give your house a top to toe (or gutter to drain) maintenance 'MOT' this winter.

Details of advice and other events supporting SPAB's National Maintenance Week can be viewed at maintainyourbuilding.org.uk.