Most homes in New England have gutters. Admittedly, there are some residential structures and roof types that do not have them, but they are the exception and not the rule in the northeast. So why do you need to get your gutters cleaned regularly? In order to first answer that question, it’s important to first understand what purpose gutters serve. I mean, what exactly do they do?

The purpose of your gutters is to direct water away from the foundation of your home. If you did not have them, all of the rain running down your roof would fall and accumulate right at the base of your home’s foundation. This can cause very serious moisture problems, including mold, in your home. Gutters are there to collect all that water and direct it AWAY from the house thereby preventing moisture problems. But, if they are clogged, then you may as well not have them. When your gutters or downspouts are clogged, the water will just overflow the gutter and pour down at the base of the foundation, with the very real potential of causing moisture problems.

How often should you get your gutters cleaned? Well, that all depends on how quickly they fill up with debris. If you live in a wooded area with many trees around your roofline, you may need to do it a couple times a year. In the case of most, once a year is usually sufficient. And if you happen to live in a very open area with no trees around the home, the gutters may stay free of debris for longer. Whatever the case may be, don’t wait until your gutters are overflowing with water to address the situation. Being proactive rather than reactive with gutter cleaning is the way to go. When moving into a new home, you will quickly learn how quickly they get clogged. Then it’s a matter of scheduling it accordingly.

What about gutter guards? This is more of a personal rather than professional question. Why do I say that? Well, those that sell. or install, gutter guards will tell you that you will never need to clean your gutters again. That is unlikely. I clean gutters for customers all the time that have gutter guards. Although gutter guards may keep out larger debris, like leaves, smaller debris will find it’s way in there. Could gutter guards at least result in needing to clean your gutters less often? Yes. So why do I personally not like them? Wait until you have to clean them : )  You will have to pop off every section of gutter guard, clean the gutter, and then reinstall the gutter guard. It is extremely time-consuming, and if low-quality guards were installed, you run the risk of damaging them. And if you decide to hire a professional to clean your gutters, he is likely to charge you significantly more due to all the additional time to remove and reinstall the gutter guards. However, as I stated at the outset of this paragraph, it is a very personal preference which has its pros and cons to each.

Last but certainly not least, always remember safety. Whether doing it yourself or hiring a professional, safety is priority #1 when cleaning gutters.