fbpx

How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters? 2022 Edition

Follow By Email Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Man on top of latter cleaning 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.

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.

  1. Early Fall
  2. Middle Fall
  3. 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. We have the expertise and know-how to assist in cleaning your gutters any time during the season, winter included.  

Related Posts:

Gutter System Parts and Components Explained

Aug, 25 2023

Gutter systems are an essential part of every house, but not many know how they actually work. The gutters are the most well-known aspect of the gutter system, but there are a variety of other components including the end caps, miters, downspouts, elbows, pipe cleats, gutter spikes, ferrules, and hangers. Some of these parts are […] read more...

Gutters: Strip Miters, Box Miters, and Applications

Aug, 24 2023

Most people are familiar with gutter systems, but not as many are aware of the miters that are in them. Miters are the corner sections of the gutter that direct the accumulated water around the corner and make it so that you don’t need downspouts on each corner of the house. The gutter system on […] read more...

Heavy Rain in Atlanta is Damaging Your Gutters & Home: How Can You Stop It?

Apr, 19 2022

In Atlanta and the greater Fulton county metro area, the last few years have delivered some of the rainiest stretches on record. With the downpour comes flooded basements, leaky windows, and compromised foundations. While you contemplate the Atlanta rainy season, and all the indoor hobbies that can fill your time, make sure your gutters and […] read more...

BROWSE POSTS

Search Results:

SEARCH TERM:
CATEGORY:
DATE:
LOAD MORE POSTS...

GET A FREE QUOTE TODAY!