How often should gutters be cleaned?

Gutters have one job: move water off the roof and away from your home. When they clog, water spills over the edge, soaks the ground next to the foundation and, in winter, freezes into ice along the roof edge.

The short answer: twice a year

For most homes in Toronto and the GTA, cleaning gutters twice a year keeps them working:

• Late spring, after trees drop seeds, buds and pollen.
• Late fall, after most leaves have fallen and before the first hard freeze.

When twice a year isn’t enough

Some homes need more frequent cleaning:

• Big trees overhead. Maples, oaks and pines can fill gutters in a few weeks. Three or four cleanings a year may be needed.
• Low-slope roofs. Debris doesn’t wash down as easily, so gutters fill faster.
• Valleys and corners. Where two roof sections meet, water and debris pile into one spot.

Signs your gutters are clogged

Watch for these between cleanings:

1. Water pouring over the edge during rain.
2. Plants or grass growing out of the gutter.
3. Gutters pulling away from the fascia.
4. Stains or worn paint on siding below the gutter.
5. Icicles hanging from the gutter in winter.

What about gutter guards?

Guards help, but they don’t make gutters maintenance-free. Fine debris and roof grit still get through, and leaves can sit on top of the guard and block water. Plan on cleaning guarded gutters at least once a year.

Doing it yourself vs. hiring help

Cleaning a one-story gutter from a stable ladder is a reasonable weekend job. Two- and three-story homes, steep roofs and icy conditions are where most ladder accidents happen. A professional gutter cleaning includes flushing every downspout and photos of anything that needs repair.

If your gutters have black streaks on the outside, that’s a separate job. Gutter brightening removes the stripes so the roofline looks clean again.