How Often Should Gutters Be Cleaned?

It’s pretty common to “set and forget” your gutters, assuming that as long as they’re there, you’ve got nothing to worry about. They’re easy to overlook; after all, good gutters are supposed to last you 20 years. However, while quality gutters can service your home effectively for many years to come, you’ll likely start noticing issues within the first year if you’re not caring for them as you should. Clean gutters will channel rain safely away from a structure, but debris like falling leaves and twigs will start to collect over time and cause clogs. Even the best gutters on the market still need to be regularly cleaned by professionals in order to maintain their appearance and functionality. Not sure how often your gutters should be cleaned? Well, it depends.

Factors That Affect How Often Your Gutters Should Be Cleaned

The general consensus is that gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year, usually in the fall to clean out leaves and in the spring to tackle post-winter accumulation. If you don’t get them cleaned often enough, standing water can collect in your gutters, causing mold and mildew growth and adding weight that can lead to sagging or breakage. However, there are a lot of factors that contribute to how often you might need to have your gutters cleaned.

Since the biggest problem for gutters is debris collecting where it shouldn’t, it stands to reason that homes in areas more susceptible to windswept debris will require more frequent gutter cleaning. It might have seemed like a great idea at the time to buy a nice, private home in the woods surrounded by fragrant pine trees or majestic oaks, but all those trees will be shedding needles and pinecones or dropping leaves and acorns that will fill up your gutters. If this is the case for your home, you’ll likely want your gutters cleaned four times a year, or every three months.

On the other hand, if you have a gutter protection system with quality gutter guards or screens in place, you won’t need to have your gutters inspected and cleaned as often. While guards and screens don’t completely negate the need, the added protection means you’ll be able to get away with having your gutters cleaned every year or two rather than multiple times a year.

Signs That It’s Time to Clean Your Gutters

If you’re still not sure when it might be time to clean your gutters, there are a few signs you can keep an eye out for. If you see any of these, it’s time to schedule a gutter cleaning:

• Rainwater spilling over the side of the gutter instead of down the spout—if left unaddressed, this can cause mold growth along the exterior of your home
• Visible clumps of debris sticking out of the gutter—fallen leaves, twigs, nests, even growing plants
• Wildlife such as birds or small critters such as chipmunks and squirrels nesting in your gutters
• Gutters that are sagging, broken, or pulling away from the house—a bit of maintenance may be all that’s needed, or you may need to have your gutters replaced entirely

In Need of New Gutters?

If you’re looking to replace your gutters and don’t like the idea of cleaning them often, ABC Seamless of Cheyenne has a solution for you. Our seamless steel gutters are designed to handle 33% more rainwater than most standard gutters on the market and can be paired with heavy-duty gutter guards to keep debris from clogging up your gutter system. Contact us today to learn more about outfitting your home with a new gutter system!