How Often Should Gutters Be Inspected and Cleaned?

Experts recommend that gutters be inspected and cleaned at least twice a year. This is usually enough to keep the system functioning properly and prevent costly repairs. During the cleaning process, it is important to remove all debris from the interior. In general, it is recommended to clean gutters once in autumn and once in winter.

This will help prevent standing water from freezing and causing the gutter to swell and crack. The effort or cost that homeowners will spend on cleaning the gutters is negligible compared to the cost of repairing the foundation of the house. Depending on the type of foliage you have near your house (such as pine trees), you may want to clean it once every three months. However, in general, you should try to clean your gutters at least twice a year, once in spring and once in fall. Gutter protectors can help prevent leaves and other debris from entering the gutters in the first place.

While cleaning gutters can be a bit complicated, it's undoubtedly preferable to the damage that not cleaning them can cause. If any of these adverse effects have already occurred, homeowners may need to research the best way to clean gutters that are moldy or have pests in order to proceed safely. Falling gutters, weeds and plants that grow along the edge of the roof, insects and birds, and standing water are clear signs that the gutters are clogged and need to be cleaned. The expensive repair of the damage and the possible complete replacement of the gutters are imminent if you ignore them for too long. In some cases, such as properties that don't have many trees, a good cleaning of the gutters every year may be sufficient. The only way to ensure that your gutters need to be replaced is to ask a roofer or gutter expert you trust for an inspection. Depending on the type of gutters you have installed, you should be able to use them for at least 20 years, provided they are properly installed and maintained.

Homeowners are also advised to be aware of leaks all year round, as they are signs that gutters need to be cleaned.