How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?
If you are a homeowner, and you have gutters bravely protecting your home from the perils of foundation damage, mold, or worse, then you probably are wondering how often you should clean your gutters, in order to preserve their lifespan.
Gutters should be cleaned six times throughout the year, with at least three cleanings during the fall season. Location and weather both impact the ideal number of cleanings, as well as your general approach to gutter protection services.
Location
Keep in mind that gutters are meant to funnel debris and other harmful elements away from your house. Houses in locations that are more prone to natural events are more likely to have gutter cleaning on their radar. However, each location can provide different challenges.
For example, a house in Southern California may be more concerned about the damage done to their gutters during the summer season, which is known for the Santa Ana Winds phenomenon.
Meanwhile, a house in Connecticut might be looking at the onset of fall, and know that trees drop leaves at a more rapid rate, thus increasing the chances of ending up in the gutter.
These are all valid, so while seasonality is the primary driver for how often to clean your gutters, your location should be something you consider too.
Seasonality
End of Winter Gutter Cleaning (Feb – April)
Although this applies more to cold-weather states, it is important to remember that just because it hasn’t rained, or hasn’t been windy, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t address your gutters.
The end of winter can produce what is called “late-clinging leaves and branches,” which are leftover debris from winter that funnels into your gutters as ice melts.
It is advised that you clean your gutters at least once, as you near the end of winter. You should also use this time to reinforce your gutters, after the storm season. This can include resealing your gutters or reinforcing them to the roof.
Spring Gutter Cleaning (May – July)
Spring, the time of year where everything is fresh, new, and ripe. Spring is also a time when the most pollen, wayfaring leaves, and more may be floating about. These can easily end up in your gutter, creating logjams.
It is advised that you clean your gutters once towards the end of spring.
Read More: Do You Need a Gutter Apron for Your House?
Summer Gutter Cleaning (August – September)
This season may be more relevant to southern states, and regions that experience summer thunderstorms. With these storms come violent winds, which rips leaves off the trees, and slams them into your roof and gutters.
Summer can bring drought-like conditions, which may seem like a counter-intuitive time to check your gutters. Make sure they are clear of debris so when rain does fall, your home won’t be overwhelmed. For extra water security, install rainwater diverters and rain barrels to collect as much water as possible.
It is recommended that you clean your gutters sometime around Labor Day, which is the first Monday in September.
Fall Gutter Cleaning (October – November)
Fall is the time of year celebrating the beautiful color in the changing leaves. That euphoria is often short-lived because after the leaves change, they are quickly shed from the tree to blow about in the wind.
Fall is perhaps the most critical time when it comes to cleaning your gutters. Although it may feel excessive, the rate at which trees are shedding their leaves can fool you, until you’re up in the gutters digging caked leaves out of your gutter.
It is recommended that you clean your gutters at least three times during fall.
- Early Fall
- Middle Fall
- Late Fall
Ideally, you are finalizing your “Late Fall” clean up prior to the first snow, and as a way to rid your roof of the final fall leaves.
Gutter Cleaning Season to Avoid: Middle of Winter (December – January)
This article has given great advice on when good times to clean your gutters are. However, keep in mind that the middle of winter is not the best time to clean your gutters. Between the snow and ice, it can create a very precarious situation, that can result in injury or worse.
If you clean your gutters yourself, don’t risk it by doing it while snow is on the roof. However, if you find yourself in an unavoidable situation, contact Ned Stevens to do your gutter cleaning. Our team of professionals offer exceptional gutter cleaning services in New York and other areas across the nation. We have the expertise and know-how to assist in cleaning your gutters any time during the season, winter included.
