A Homeowner’s Guide to Gutter Maintenance

Gutters play an important role in directing water away from your home, but they can’t do their job properly when they’re filled with leaves and debris. When buildup prevents water from flowing freely, gutters can overflow and contribute to maintenance issues around the home. That’s why you shouldn’t wait to address gutter cleaning until there’s an obvious problem. 

A thorough gutter maintenance service should address your entire drainage system:

Remove debris. Leaves and other buildup should be physically removed from the gutters so water has a clear path to flow.

Wash out the gutters. After the larger debris is removed, the gutters should be washed to clear remaining material and help prevent new buildup from collecting around it.

Clear the downspouts. Downspouts are just as important as the gutters themselves. They should be flushed or blown out to remove blockages that could cause water to back up into the gutter system.

For many homes, gutter maintenance should be performed twice a year, but there’s no “one size fits all” schedule. The best maintenance schedule depends on how quickly debris accumulates on your property. For example, if you have a lot of tall trees, your gutters may need to be serviced three or four times a year.