Gutter Cleaning Services

Before you book

What a proper gutter cleaning should include

A gutter clean is only worth paying for if the water can get out afterwards. That means three things: the trough cleared along its full length, every downspout flushed from the top, and water run through the system to prove it drains. A crew that blows the leaves out and leaves without testing the downspouts has done half the job, because the downspout elbow is where most blockages actually sit.

Timing is the other half. The best time to clean is after the main debris drop for your trees, not on a fixed date. Under maples and oaks, that is late autumn once the trees are bare. Under live oaks in the South, it is late spring. Under pines, needles fall most of the year, so two to four cleans may be needed. A clean done three weeks before the leaves finish falling will need repeating.

Ask how the debris is handled. Hand-clearing into bags or buckets keeps the mess off your roof, windows and beds. Blowing debris out is faster but sprays wet sludge down the walls and can push debris further into the downspouts. On delicate roofs, such as slate, tile or older shingles, ask how the crew will access the gutters without walking on the roof.

A good clean also doubles as an inspection. While the crew is at gutter height, they can see loose hangers, failed seams, soft fascia and storm damage. Ask for photos of anything they find, so you can decide on repairs with your own eyes rather than on someone's word.

Cleaning inside the gutter versus cleaning the outside

Two different jobs share the name. Clearing the inside removes leaves, needles, seed pods and shingle grit so water can flow. Cleaning the outside removes the black or grey vertical streaks on the face of the gutter, often called tiger stripes. Those streaks are a film of airborne grime bonded to the paint by static and rain, and a hose alone will not shift them. They need a dedicated cleaner and soft brushing, and on older painted aluminum, care, because harsh chemicals and stiff pads can dull or strip the finish.

If you want both, say so when you book. Exterior brightening takes longer than an interior clear-out and is usually priced as an add-on.

Using a pressure washer to clean gutters: is it safe?

Low-pressure washing is fine for the face of the gutter, the fascia and the soffit. High pressure is a problem. A narrow jet aimed upward can drive water under the first row of shingles, blast granules off the roof edge, force water behind the gutter into the fascia, and push sludge into the downspout instead of out of it. Ask what pressure and tip the crew will use, and whether they wash before or after the interior has been cleared by hand.

Roof and gutter cleaning together

Moss, lichen and the debris that collects in roof valleys all end up in the gutters eventually, so cleaning the roof first and the gutters second makes sense. Roof cleaning is a separate service with its own methods, usually a soft wash with a cleaning solution rather than pressure, and not every gutter crew does it. If a company offers both, ask whether the roof treatment runoff will be rinsed from the gutters and planting beds before they leave.

Two-story and high gutters

Second-story gutters are where most homeowners stop doing the job themselves, and with good reason: ladder falls from that height cause serious injuries every year. Professional crews use ladder stand-offs that rest on the roof rather than on the gutter, stabilizers on soft ground, and on some homes a harness tied off to a roof anchor. Expect a higher price for two-story and three-story homes, steep roofs and homes on a slope, because the access takes longer and needs more equipment.

Gutter cleaning and repair in one visit

A clean is the cheapest moment to fix small faults, because the crew is already at the gutter with the trough empty. Many contractors will tighten loose hangers, reseal a dripping end cap or reattach a downspout section during the same visit for a small extra charge. Ask for those to be quoted before the work starts, not added to the invoice afterwards, and keep anything larger, such as resetting the slope of a whole run, as a separate repair job.

Choosing among gutter cleaning companies and contractors

Check three things before you book. First, liability insurance: if a ladder goes through a window or a worker is hurt on your property, you do not want that to land on your own policy. Second, how they price: per linear foot, per story, or a flat rate, and what counts as an extra, such as heavy build-up or downspout clearing. Third, what you get at the end: before and after photos and a note of any damage found. Very low headline prices often exclude the downspouts or the second story, so read what is included.

Residential and house gutter cleaning

Residential gutter cleaning is the bulk of the work for most gutter cleaners: house gutter cleaning on single and two-story homes, garages and porches. House gutter cleaners remove leaves and debris by hand or with a vacuum, bag it, flush the gutters, and check that each downspout runs clear. Some also offer eaves cleaning, a term used in some regions for the same job, and soffit and fascia washing.

Second story gutter cleaning, sometimes listed as 2nd story gutter cleaning, takes longer ladders and more care, so it is usually priced higher than a single-story job. Steep roofs and three-story homes may need roof access or a lift.

Clogged gutters and downspout cleaning

Gutters clogged with leaves are the obvious case, but debris also packs into the outlets and downspouts. Down spout cleaning and gutter drain pipe cleaning clear the vertical pipe with a plumber's snake, a hose or by taking apart the elbows. Contractors in our network clean clogged gutters and the drain pipes in the same visit, because a clean gutter with a blocked downspout still overflows.

Best way to clean gutters

The best way to clean out gutters is by hand or with a gutter scoop from a well-placed ladder, working from the downspout end, then flushing with a hose to check flow. Gutter cleaning devices such as wands, hooks and leaf blower attachments let homeowners reach a single-story gutter from the ground; a gutter cleaning hook works best on dry leaves. The easiest way to clean gutters on a two-story house is usually to hire it out. The how to clean gutters guide and the gutter cleaning tools guide cover the DIY side.

Gutter cleaning rates, deals and what is included

Gutter cleaning rates are usually set by the length of gutter, the number of stories and how full the gutters are. Advertised gutter cleaning deals, such as a $75 or $99 gutter cleaning offer, are normally entry prices for a small single-story home and may not include downspouts, debris removal or a second story. Ask what the price covers before you book. The gutter cleaning cost page has published ranges.

Cleaning, maintenance and other exterior work

Many companies combine gutter cleaning and maintenance in one visit: tightening hangers, resealing leaking joints and checking guards. Some also offer gutter cleaning and power washing, roof washing, window cleaning or chimney and gutter cleaning together, which can save a separate trip. If a gutter is too damaged to clean properly, gutter cleaning and replacement or repair can be quoted at the same time. A handyman to clean gutters can handle a small single-story home, but a gutter specialist is usually better for tall houses and for spotting repairs.