Keeping your gutters clean is important for your home. Gutters help direct rainwater away from your roof and foundation, preventing damage and the need for expensive repairs. However, leaves, sticks, and debris can block the gutters and cause problems.
Cleaning your gutters in newer, moderately wooded neighborhoods in spring and fall may be sufficient to keep them working smoothly and avoid costly issues. If you live in a mature neighborhood with many big trees, though, you may need a full-service plan consisting of four to five gutter cleanings a year to clear gutters from the sheer volume of leaves and keep them draining between cleanings. We recommend these gutter cleanings occur in early spring, late spring, summer, early fall and late fall. Details of each cleaning are provided later in this article.
Why You Need to Clean Your Gutters Regularly
Regular gutter cleaning is vital for several reasons. Let’s explore why it’s necessary to clean your gutters at least twice a year:
1. Preventing Water Damage
One of the main reasons for cleaning your gutters is to prevent water damage. When gutters are clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris, they can’t effectively channel water away from your home. This can lead to:
- Roof Damage: Water that backs up in clogged gutters can seep under the shingles, causing leaks and damage to your roof. Over time, this can lead to more severe problems like rotting wood and mold growth.
- Foundation Problems: Overflowing gutters can cause water to pool around your home’s foundation, leading to cracks that compromise the structure.
- Basement Flooding: If water isn’t directed away from your home correctly, it can end up in your basement, causing flooding and potentially damaging the stored items and foundation itself.
2. Avoiding Pest Infestations
Clogged gutters can become a haven for pests. Stagnant water in blocked gutters provides an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Additionally, gutter debris can attract ants, termites, and even rodents. These pests can create nests in your gutters or find their way into your home, leading to uncomfortable and potentially costly infestations.
3. Protecting Your Landscaping
Your gutters play a role in protecting your landscaping. When gutters overflow, they can cause soil erosion around your home. This erosion can wash away your mulch, plants, flowers, and grass you’ve worked hard to maintain. Excess water can also cause soil to become waterlogged, harming plant roots and leading to fungal growth.
4. Saving Money on Repairs
Regular gutter cleaning is a small but essential investment that can save you from expensive repairs. The cost of professional gutter cleaning is minor compared to the potential costs of repairing water damage, foundation cracks, or a damaged roof. By maintaining clean gutters, you can avoid these costly repairs and ensure the longevity and comfort of your home.
5. Maintaining Your Home’s Value
Your home is a valuable asset, and keeping it in good condition helps maintain its value. Neglecting gutter maintenance can lead to visible damage and issues that affect your home’s curb appeal. Keeping your gutters clean helps preserve your home’s appearance and structural integrity, which is vital if you ever decide to sell.
The Role of Clean Gutters in Preventing Ice Dams
It is a common belief that in colder climates, clogged gutters can contribute to the formation of ice dams. You may have heard people repeat this claim. Gutter cleaning is essential, but ice dams have nothing to do with gutter cleaning. Instead, ice damming is related to poor insulation and ventilation, a buildup of ice on the roof’s edge that prevents water from draining off.
Read more about preventing ice dams, and how to deal with an ice dam if it occurs, here.
When Should You Clean Your Gutters?
Most parts of the United States enjoy four distinct seasons, each of which creates conditions that can clog gutters. We recommend cleaning your gutters in Early Spring, Late Spring, Mid-Summer, and Early and Late Fall. Depending on your location and tree cover, you might be able to get by with fewer gutter cleanings. Let an established rain gutter professional guide you in this recommendation.
We recommend the following cleaning schedule:
- Early Spring Gutter Cleaning: In the early spring, it’s important to clean out any foliage from late shedding trees. This cleaning prepares the gutters for the heavy spring rains.
- Late Spring Gutter Cleaning: Pollen strings, spring buds, and whirley wings tend to accumulate in gutters over spring, so this cleaning removes them along with general debris.
- Summer Gutter Cleaning: Summer thunderstorms with heavy rain and strong winds lead to leaves and other litter gathering in gutters. This cleaning removes the accumulations and clears out the downspouts to prepare for further rain.
- Fall Gutter Cleaning: Fall is another crucial time for gutter cleaning. As trees shed their leaves, they can quickly fill up your gutters with organic matter. Heavy autumn rains can cause the debris to become compacted if not cleaned out.
- Late Fall/Winter Gutter Cleaning: A fifth cleaning may be necessary depending on your home’s needs. The winter cleanup is done after the leaves have fallen from the trees, but before the debris has frozen in the gutters.
How to Clean Your Gutters
Cleaning your gutters is a task that can be done either by yourself or a professional. Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning your gutters if you choose to tackle the job yourself:
1. Gather Your Tools: You’ll need a sturdy ladder, gloves, a trowel or scoop, a bucket, and a garden hose. Safety goggles are also recommended to protect your eyes from debris.
2. Set Up Your Ladder Safely: Before climbing, place your ladder on a stable surface and ensure it is secure. It’s best to have someone hold the ladder for extra stability.
3. Remove Debris from the Roof: Using a blower or rake, remove any accessible roof debris. You do not want it to roll back into the gutters. Use your trowel, scoop, or hands to remove leaves, twigs, and other waste from the gutters. Then, place the litter in your bucket for easy disposal.
4. Flush the Gutters: Use your garden hose to flush out any remaining dirt and small particles after removing debris. This also helps check if your downspouts are clear and water is flowing correctly. This step may not be necessary if all that is left on the bottom of the gutter is a little sand or dust. Additionally, flushing the gutters may cause more damage than good if you wash large amounts of debris into downspouts that terminate in underground drains. You do not want to pack those underground drains with compost! Clearing underground drains later may cost you thousands.
5. Install Gutter Strainers: Gutter strainers keep large debris in the gutters while keeping the downspouts clog-free. If you install the right type of strainers, such as our Spring Gutter Strainer® shown here, they will be a once-in-a-lifetime investment. Find out more at www.GutterStrainer.com.
6. Check for Leaks: Watch for leaks or issues as you flush the gutters. If you notice any problems, such as gaps or cracks, repair them to prevent further damage. Rather than flushing the gutters with a hose, a great way to check for leaks is to grab an umbrella when it rains and walk around the house, snapping pictures that you can examine later and address any issues in dry weather.
7. Clean the Downspouts: Ensure that the downspouts are clear by running water through them with your hose. If you find any blockages, you may need a plumber’s snake or similar tool to clear them. Again, if you have Spring Gutter Strainers in the downspouts, you do not need to worry as much about clogs in downspouts.
8. Dispose of Waste Properly: If appropriate, dispose of the collected debris in your yard waste bin or compost it.
9. Inspect for Damage: After cleaning, inspect your gutters and downspouts for signs of damage. If you notice any issues, such as bent or broken gutters, address them promptly.
When to Hire a Professional
While cleaning your gutters can be a DIY task, there are situations where it’s best to hire a professional. Consider professional gutter cleaning if:
- You’re Uncomfortable with Heights: If climbing ladders or working at heights makes you nervous, hire a professional, who will safely handle the job.
- Your Gutters Are Difficult to Reach: If your home has multiple stories or complex rooflines, a professional has the equipment and expertise to clean your gutters effectively.
- You Notice Significant Damage to Gutters: If you see signs of major damage, such as sagging gutters or significant leaks, a professional can assess and repair the damage.
Maintaining Your Gutters Between Cleanings
To keep your gutters in good shape between cleanings, consider these maintenance tips:
- Trim Overhanging Branches: Regularly trim trees and shrubs near your home to reduce the volume of debris that falls into your gutters.
- Install Leaf Guards: Leaf guards can help prevent debris from entering your gutters. While they don’t eliminate the need for cleaning gutters, they can reduce the frequency of cleanings and make the task easier.
- Check for Proper Drainage: Ensure that water is flowing freely through your gutters and downspouts. Make sure that downspouts are directed away from your foundation to prevent pooling.
