The most common question we get: How often do I need to clean my gutters?
Well, it really depends… In this article we will walk you through how to determine the proper frequency to clean your gutters. (or utilize our gutter cleaning services 😉)
When it rains, it pours. And this is not a good time to have clogged gutters.
When rain gutters are not adequately cleaned and maintained, they can quickly become clogged with all sorts of debris, leaves, twigs, dirt, and even small insects. These blockages can lead to numerous problems in the long run – not only will the rainwater not be able to pass through effortlessly and risk damaging your foundation, flooding your home, or causing damage to the gutters themselves, but there’ll also be an increased risk of moisture accumulation leading to mold growth and other problems for your home.
Fortunately, cleaning your gutters isn’t rocket science, but it can be a real hassle. It’s a task that requires climbing up and down a ladder, getting dirty effort, and hauling off the resulting debris. No one wants to clean their gutters more than necessary, so in this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the best time to clean your gutters and how often to do so.
Factors That Determine How Often Gutters Need To Be Cleaned
The frequency in which gutter cleaning is necessary may not be relatively as straightforward as some may think. We consider a few factors when recommending how often a home’s gutters should be cleaned.
Geographic Location (City / State / Region)
The region in which you live will significantly impact how often you should clean your gutters. Still, this article will focus on Iowa since we only serve Des Moines and the surrounding areas. The region of your home or building also impacts the best time of the year to clean your gutters.
Flora and Fauna – Trees & Animals
Trees, plants, and even animals in the area where you live and the proximity in which these elements are to your home will impact how often your gutters need to be cleaned. Suppose your home is surrounded by trees, or you have an abundance of birds, insects, and squirrels in the area. In that case, chances are your gutters will accumulate organic matter rather quickly.
Getting your gutter cleaned twice a year can be advantageous. Buildings located in industrial areas can usually get away with cleaning their gutters every other year to once every three years.
Your Home’s Roof – Age & Type
The age and type of your roof is often overlooked when considering how many times per year to clean the gutters.
First-year and older roofs tend to shed asphalt and debris from their shingles, resulting in a buildup of non-organic matter in your drains. Asphalt does not wash out of gutters very easily and increases the likelihood of organic matter getting stuck. The tiny bits of asphalt and shingles provide an abrasive surface for the buildup to begin compounding and can lead to major issues.
Tile, steel, and flat roofs can reduce the frequency you need to clean your gutters and downspouts, sometimes as much as 1/2 to 1/3.
Weather
Weather events are an essential factor to consider in deciding how often to clean out the gutters. These events are hard to plan for and can lead to an additional, unexpected cleaning.
High winds, hail, tornados, and thunderstorms can drop excess debris into your gutters, sometimes clogging them instantly. It is always best to check your roof and downspouts after extreme weather. It will often be evident that your gutters are clogged, with water overflowing out the side or running down the walls of your home, but sometimes it can be hard to notice. (We have seen homes with water running behind the siding, and the homeowner had no idea)
Peace Of Mind
If your budget/schedule permits, an extra gutter cleaning can give you additional peace of mind, knowing that you don’t have to worry about your gutters and the problems blocked rain gutters can cause.
If you have the budget, but lack the time or do not want the hassle, contact a gutter cleaning company like ours 😉 or just search for a gutter cleaning company near me to find a local gutter cleaning service.
We clean the gutters,So you don’t have to
Your Gutters
Central Iowa
Most homeowners in Des Moines, and throughout central Iowa, need to get their gutters cleaned out 2 times per year since we are lucky enough to be in a city with an abundance of trees and nature. See our article that explains the best time to clean out your gutters
When To Change How Often You Clean Your Gutters
A few exceptions could require you to clean your home’s gutters more than twice a year:
- A significant weather event can require an additional gutter cleaning to remove leaves, branches, shingles, and other debris blown into your gutters.
- Homes located in the middle of open space or in a commercial area with no leaf shedding trees within 100 to 200 yards can usually get away with cleaning their cutters once per year.