When Should I Clean My Gutters?

When should I clean my gutters is a question we often get asked here at PJ Fitzpatrick by homeowners in the Mid-Atlantic area, and the answer varies depending on the location and gutter system. With that in mind, let’s explore the factors that determine how often and when your gutters need to be cleaned.

How Often Do Your Gutters Need to Be Cleaned

The general recommendation when it comes to how often gutters need to be cleaned is twice a year. But gutters should be cleaned as often as required, and that’s going to depend on how many trees you have. It’s not unusual for a house with many trees in close proximity to require gutter cleaning every three months or four times a year. Another factor in determining when should I clean my gutters is whether you have gutter guards. Gutter guards significantly reduce how fast gutters accumulate debris, and the majority of homes with gutter guards only need their gutters cleaned once a year.

The Best Time to Schedule Gutter Cleaning

Autumn is the best answer to when should I clean my gutters, and if you’re only going to have your gutters cleaned once a year, you should wait for the majority of the leaves on your property to fall. This will ensure that the bulk of the leaves and twigs that could clog your gutters are removed. If you’re scheduling gutter cleaning twice a year, then early spring is the other time to schedule. You should also schedule immediately if you ever notice your gutters overflowing or water ponding in your yard.

The Dangers of Not Cleaning Your Gutters

Clogged gutters are a big problem that homeowners often underestimate. If your gutters aren’t draining at a fast enough rate, water can spray back onto the fascia and roofing shingles. In winter, it can cause damaging ice dams, and clogged gutters can lead to ponding water that results in soil erosion and even leads to foundation damage and a flooded basement or crawl space.

Choosing a Professional to Clean Your Gutters

There are many companies that specialize in gutter cleaning. While they do a good job in that regard, we recommend choosing a company that specializes in roof and gutter installations and repairs. When PJ Fitzpatrick cleans your gutters, we inspect them too. We can also inspect your roof and alert you to any problems that you can fix now in order to save money down the line.

Is It Time to Have Your Gutters Cleaned?

If your home needs its gutters cleaned and you’re located in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, PJ Fitzpatrick is here to help. We not only clean gutters but install and repair them, including gutter guards. Contact us today to schedule that appointment or with any additional questions about when should I clean my gutters.