How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?

Keep leaf build-up and seasonal debris at bay with routine gutter-cleaning

Get quotes from gutter cleaning pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Get quotes from gutter cleaning pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Need Help With a Project? Connect With a Pro
  • Your gutter cleaning schedule depends on nearby trees, with oak trees requiring twice-yearly cleanings and pine trees needing quarterly attention to prevent clogs.

  • Expect to pay around $159 for professional gutter cleaning, though costs range from $100 to $425 per 200 square feet for multi-story homes.

  • You should clean your gutters at least once or twice a year, ideally in spring and early fall, to prevent water damage and costly repairs.

  • Hiring a local gutter cleaning professional keeps you safe off the ladder and provides thorough cleaning that protects your home from water damage and decay.

When all of those beautiful autumn leaves start to fall, they can quickly accumulate in your gutters and cause build-ups and overflow. Regularly cleaning your gutters lets you get ahead of the changing seasons and protect your home from water damage, rot, and decay. How often and when to do it can depend on a lot of factors from the type and condition of your gutters to the kinds of trees near your roof.

Angi Tip

Hiring a pro to clean your gutters can help you discover if they have any unnoticed damage. Damaged gutters can cost thousands down the road if not addressed ASAP.

Ryan Noonan
Content Editor, Angi

Why You Should Clean Your Gutters

Cleaning your gutters is certainly no one’s favorite chore, but preventing decay and damage to your home’s exterior is essential. Loose or broken gutters, or those clogged with debris, can allow water, dirt, mold, mildew, and algae to penetrate your roof, exterior walls, and even your home’s foundation. In addition, unclean gutters can lead to animals nesting within them or pest infestations.

Clogged gutters are not only unsightly. They can also put you on the hook for thousands of dollars in repair costs, including the potential replacement of your entire gutter system, which costs around $1,900 on average.

How Often You Should Clean Your Gutters

How often you should clean your gutters depends on the following factors: 

  • Condition of your gutters

  • Whether you have a good gutter protection system (gutter screens or guards)

  • Trees and foliage near your roof

  • Seasonal weather cycles

In general, you should plan to clean your gutters at least once or twice a year. But if you have lots of tall trees near your roof, you’re going to need to tackle the job more often. 

For example, if you have oak trees overhanging your roof, then you’ll need to clean your gutters at least twice a year—and don’t forget the downspouts. And if you have pine trees, then you’re going to want to up that routine to a quarterly cleaning, as pine trees are veritable needle-shedding machines.

On the other hand, if you have a gutter protection system, especially micromesh gutter guards or screens, then you can probably get away with cleaning your gutters once every 1 to 2 years. However, regular maintenance is necessary to keep your gutter guard system effective. Luckily, gutter guards are much easier to clean by yourself with minimum to zero costs since most systems only require surface cleaning. You should also look through the gutter guards to catch debris buildups during the early stages.

When You Should Clean Your Gutters

A close up of dead leaves overflowing a gutter
Photo: Photogress / E+ / Getty Images

If you’re opting for a twice-yearly cleaning, your best bet is to do it in spring and early fall. Fall and winter can be especially hard on your gutters, as those lovely autumn leaves have a nasty habit of accumulating. Compounded with winter snow and ice, and you can have quite a mess on your hands.

Tackling the job during autumn will ensure your gutters are ready for all that fall and winter can dish out. When spring arrives, clearing away accumulation from months of falling leaves, snow, and ice prepares your system for spring rains and summer storms.

Signs That It's Time for a Clean-Out

Deciding when and how often to clean your gutters isn’t difficult if you know what to look for. Here are some tell-tale signs it’s time for a gutter clean-out:

  • Your gutters are overflowing

  • You notice signs of leaking on your roof, siding, yard, or pavement

  • Your guttering is broken, or sections have pulled away from the roofing or exterior walls

  • Water does not flow readily from the downspouts when it rains or snows

  • You notice debris build-up in the guttering

DIY vs. Professional Gutter-Cleaning

A couple cleaning away leaves from the gutter
Photo: Roy Morsch / The Image Bank / Getty Images

Though it’s not exactly an easy task, you’ll definitely earn your weekend warrior cred. Many homeowners choose to clean their gutters themselves as long as they’re comfortable working on a sturdy ladder.

If you have a multi-story home or gutter guards, you may want to consider leaving the job to the professionals. The cost to hire a gutter cleaning company is around $159 on average, but those rates can increase if your gutters are damaged or it’s been a while since the last cleaning. If you have a multi-story home, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to as much as $425 per 200 square feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s recommended that you clean your gutters after a severe storm, however, regular storms don’t raise the same concerns. Look for signs your gutter might need cleaning after a harsh storm. Do you see broken branches and excessive leaves all over your yard? Chances are your gutters caught quite some debris. Also, ensure a few drying days before cleaning your gutters. Dry debris is much easier to clean.

Yes, you can use a pressure washer to effectively clean debris, dirt, and grime from your gutters, but it must be done with caution to avoid damage. Always use a low-pressure setting, with a recommended range between 1,200 and 1,800 PSI. Excessive pressure can bend or dent aluminum gutters, damage seams, peel paint, or even knock shingles off your roof, potentially leading to leaks and moisture issues. For a safer alternative, consider soft washing or cleaning them by hand. When using a pressure washer, it is safer to use gutter elbow extensions from the ground rather than climbing a ladder, as the force can cause instability. Due to the risks, you may want to hire a licensed and insured contractor for the job.

It is not recommended to clean gutters, or do any work on your roof for that matter, without the use of a ladder. Please make sure you have a spotter and avoid slippery surfaces when performing this task.

The homeowners guide to gutter cleaning services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.