What Is a Gutter Cleaning Service? Everything You Need to Know

You already know that gutters are important because they protect your home’s foundation. You probably also know that keeping those gutters clean helps them work properly and prevents damage. But what is a gutter cleaning service, and is it something you should consider for your home? Here’s everything you need to know about gutter cleaning services. 

What Is a Gutter Cleaning Service?

Your gutters collect debris over the course of the year. From twigs and leaves to asphalt grit and seeds, rain washes these things into your gutters. Once there, the debris intertwines and causes clogs, which trap water, causing it to overflow the rim of the gutter and flow back into the house or down in front of the foundation. Both scenarios are bad, and a gutter cleaning service can handle it.

A gutter cleaning service is a company that comes out to your house or property and ensures that your gutters are flowing properly. The service will remove gunk and debris from the gutters, check for damaged or deformed gutters, inspect for leaks, and test the gutter’s pitch.

What To Expect From a Gutter Cleaning Service

Most gutter cleaning services will show up on your property with a service van or work truck with several ladders. They might also have special tools such as vacuums, pressure washers, and hose attachments. 

The gutter cleaners will set up their ladders to access the eaves of the roof, remove the gunk and debris that lies in the bottom of the gutter, and flush water down the system to ensure it flows well. They’ll also check the downspouts at the end of the gutter system to make sure they’re free from clogs and blockages.

If there are any leaks, many gutter cleaning services will caulk the affected area and make small repairs. Also, if your gutter system has guards in place, the gutter cleaners will remove them, clean them, and clean the gutter (though this will cost extra). 

Once done, the gutter cleaning service should clean up any debris that might’ve fallen, pack up their ladders and equipment, and leave your home with a free-flowing gutter system.

How Often Do You Need a Gutter Cleaning Service?

There is no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to gutter cleaning frequency, but you should at least check your gutters annually (semi-annually would be better). Whether or not they need cleaning will depend on the number of storms in the area, how much shingle grit comes off of your roof, the volume of trees around your home, and several other factors.

Some gutter cleaning services will allow you to sign a gutter cleaning contract. You’ll be able to choose the frequency at which they come to your home.

How Much Does a Gutter Cleaning Service Cost?

The cost of a gutter cleaning service to come to your property and ensure your gutters are flowing freely varies, depending on a few factors:

• The height of your gutters: Gutter cleaning on a one-story home will cost significantly less than cleaning gutters on two or three-story homes.
• The size and shape of the home: Gutter cleaning services will often quote a cost based on the linear footage of the gutter. Homes with longer runs of gutters or multiple eaves will cost more than homes with shorter runs or fewer gutters.

However, there are a few general ranges to consider. On average, gutter cleaning costs around $166 for one-story homes in the US. For two-story homes, the average price of gutter cleaning is $205. Do understand that these are averages, and there can be drastic differences based on whether gutter guards are installed, the condition of the existing gutter system, and if downspouts need unclogging. 

Ask Questions

If you have any additional questions about gutter cleaning, no one is better equipped to answer them than a gutter cleaning service. They’ll be able to tell you exactly what to expect when they show up at your house and give you a close estimate as to how much gutter cleaning costs in your area. With all your questions answered, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on whether or not a gutter cleaning service is right for you.