Yes, you still need to clean gutters with gutter guards, though much less frequently. While guards prevent large leaves and twigs from entering, fine debris like pollen, shingle grit, seeds, and dirt can still slip through or accumulate on top of the covers, requiring maintenance about once a year.
Many homeowners choose to have gutter guards installed to keep the gutters clear; while they typically do a good job, both the gutters and the gutter guards will need to be cleaned once or twice a year. Cleaning gutters and gutter guards is not an easy task, especially on a two-story home.
While gutter guards can reduce cleaning frequency, they are not maintenance-free. Common drawbacks include hidden debris buildup, overflow during heavy downpours, and complications with winter snow and ice. Cheaper materials can also degrade or collapse.
Clean your one-story-high gutters right from the ground with an old paint roller on an extension handle. It's angled just right to push leaves and debris out quickly and easily.
Gutter guard lifespan ranges from 1-20 years, influenced by material, type, and installation quality. Proper selection and installation extends longevity. Different types, from foam and brush inserts to metal screens and integrated mesh systems, each have their own expected durability and maintenance needs.
A 1,500 square foot home usually has 150-180 linear feet of gutters. Professional installation costs between $900 and $2,340, depending on the guard type. A 2,500 square foot home needs about 200-250 linear feet of coverage, bringing the total investment to $1,200 to $3,250 for most installations.
To clean gutters you cannot safely reach, the most effective and safest option is to work from the ground using long-reach attachments with your existing tools, or to upgrade to a gutter-cleaning robot.
Wondering how often you should clean out your gutters? Experts recommend cleaning them at least twice a year, typically in the spring and fall. If you have overhanging trees or experience frequent storms, you may need to clean them more often to prevent clogs, roof leaks, and water damage.
Every time it rains, more water flows through the pipe and the roots grow larger until the underground pipe becomes clogged and potentially bursts. If an underground drain becomes bound by roots, it's nearly impossible to fix.
Common Consensus Among Roofing Experts
Using both gutter guards and regular cleaning is the best way to protect your home.
Many new homes are built without gutters primarily to cut construction costs, as builders assume buyers can add them later. However, they may also be omitted intentionally if the home features deep, extended roof overhangs, perfectly sloped natural grading (the slope of the yard), or if it is located in an arid climate where heavy rainfall is rare.
LeafFilter delivers stronger performance at blocking small debris, offers a more comprehensive warranty, and holds higher customer ratings overall. Leafguard still stands out with its all-in-one gutter and guard system, but it works best if you also need to replace your current gutters, which the company requires.
Gutters typically last anywhere from 10 to 50+ years, depending primarily on the material. Routine cleaning and resealing seams significantly extend their lifespan.
Professional-Grade Tools
While gutter guards can reduce cleaning frequency, they are not maintenance-free. Common drawbacks include hidden debris buildup, overflow during heavy downpours, and complications with winter snow and ice. Cheaper materials can also degrade or collapse.
Pouring salt down your drain at night is a popular DIY plumbing trick used for routine maintenance. The goal is to take advantage of the salt's coarse texture and natural moisture-absorbing properties.
As the fall rains intensify and the seasons shift, one surprising tip is getting renewed attention: pouring vinegar down your drains to help prevent clogs.
Baking soda and vinegar do not effectively unclog drains. Instead of clearing debris, mixing them chemically neutralizes both ingredients into salt water. The fizzing reaction is visually satisfying but largely escapes upwards, offering zero power to dissolve grease, hair, or stubborn sludge.
The best times of year to clean your gutter are in the spring and autumn, though it will depend on a number of factors, including the weather and your property's proximity to trees, bushes and hedges.
When gutters are clogged with debris, water can't drain properly. Instead of being directed away from your home, it spills over the sides, running down exterior walls and pooling around the base. Over time, this can cause paint to peel, siding to rot, and water to seep into the foundation.
Gutters can overflow even when clean due to issues like blocked downspouts, incorrect gutter slope, undersized gutters, or insufficient drainage points. It's important to check these aspects if you're experiencing overflow problems.
Because your gutters will have been protected from most debris, you should be able to just rinse them down with a hose or a pressure washer. Of course, if you happen to see any debris in the gutters, clear them out first.
A leaf blower is a gardening tool that propels air from a nozzle to move debris such as leaves and grass cuttings. Leaf blowers put out a high volume of air so they can be used to try to unclog a downspout. A Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner is also ideal for cleaning clogged downspouts.