What this covers
Gutter cleaning clears the leaves, needles, shingle grit and seedlings that stop water reaching the downspouts. The company works from ladders with stabilizers or from a lift, scoops debris by hand into buckets or onto tarps, flushes the runs and downspouts with a hose until water runs clear, and clears any downspout clog with a plumber's snake or by disassembling the elbow. While up there, the technician notes loose hangers, open seams, standing water and rot in the fascia and reports them. Debris is bagged and removed. Careful work shows in downspouts that actually flow, a yard left clean, and a few photos of anything that needs attention.
When to call
- Plants growing out of the gutter.
- Water sheeting over the edge during rain while the downspouts run dry.
- Spring and late fall on any home under trees.
- Before winter in a climate where clogged gutters freeze into ice dams.
What to expect
- Set upLadders with stabilizers are set and tarps laid where debris will come down.
- ClearGutters are scooped by hand and downspouts flushed and unclogged.
- ReportHangers, seams, pitch and fascia are checked and anything found is reported with photos.
- Clean upDebris is removed and the yard and walks rinsed.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
How often should gutters be cleaned?
Twice a year is typical, after the leaves fall and again in spring. Homes under pines or large oaks may need it more often; homes with good guards less.
Can I clean them from the ground?
Tools exist for it, but they miss silt and cannot flush the downspouts. A company does it from a stabilized ladder and sees the condition of the gutter at the same time.
What causes a downspout clog?
Leaves bunching at the outlet or an elbow, or a bird's nest. The technician flushes from the top and, if needed, takes the elbow apart to clear it.
Related: Gutter guards · Gutter repair · Ice dam leak repair · All roofing and gutters
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.