Gutters are easy to forget because they sit out of sight. You only notice them when water pours down a wall in heavy rain. By then the damage may already have started.
So how often do they need clearing? The honest answer depends on your trees, your roof and your house. This post gives a sensible starting point, plus the signs that tell you to act sooner.
The short answer
We suggest clearing gutters once a year, ideally in late autumn, because the leaves have fallen by then. That is our own advice, based on the work we do, rather than a legal rule. It suits most homes with ordinary tree cover.
However, some homes need more. If branches overhang the gutters, or the house sits under heavy tree cover, a second visit in spring or early summer can pay off. The right rhythm is the one that keeps water flowing freely.
What the guidance says
Roof tile maker Marley suggests inspecting a roof twice a year, once in the autumn in preparation for the cold and rainy season and once in the spring to look for storm damage. Its homeowner maintenance guide says to check all gutters and drainage pipes to make sure they are clear of debris and that water flows freely. It adds that, if you notice problems, it is best to enlist a professional roofing expert.
That fits our own once-a-year minimum, with a second look where trees are close. However, Marley’s advice is about the whole roof, so use it as a prompt to check gutters at the same time.
What a blocked gutter does to your house
Gutters carry rain away from the walls. When they block, therefore, the water has to go somewhere else. The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which publishes a building maintenance guide for historic buildings, says water from a leaking roof or a broken gutter can do considerable damage.
It says this water will very quickly start to break down mortar and plaster and encourage rot in timber.
The same guide describes warning signs. For example, soil washed away at ground level, or splashes of soil on the base of the walls, can show that water is not being caught by the gutter. Damp stains on masonry are, it says, a clear sign of a problem.
Signs your gutters need clearing now
Do not wait for the calendar if you see any of these:
- Water overflowing at the edge of the gutter during rain.
- Damp patches or stains on the wall below a gutter run.
- Plants growing in the gutter, or tufts of moss at the joints.
- Soil splashes on the base of the wall.
- Sagging sections, which may be holding water.
The Heritage Fund guide also notes that shrubs, trees and climbers can block gutters. Moss can matter here too. It is not always a problem, yet the NFRC, the trade body for roofing contractors, says in its guidance note on moss and lichens that severe growth affecting drainage should be carefully removed.
Why timing around a roof clean matters
A roof clean and a gutter clear belong together. When a team treats moss, the dead growth washes off the roof over the following weeks, and much of it ends up in the gutters. Clearing only the roof moves the problem downward.
That is why we include clearing of fallen moss debris in every roof cleaning job. If you have just had a roof treated, a later check is therefore sensible. Our guide to the best time of year for roof cleaning covers when to book the roof side of the work.
Why not do it yourself from a ladder?
Many people do, and the job looks simple. However, the risk is the ladder. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says in its workplace guidance that ladders can be a sensible and practical option for low-risk, short-duration tasks, but should not automatically be your first choice.
Similarly, HSE guidance says that if a task would need you to stay up a leaning ladder for more than 30 minutes at a time, it recommends using alternative equipment. Gutter clearing along a whole house can easily take that long. Our post on whether roof cleaning needs scaffolding explains how we decide on access.
How we clear gutters
We use a high-reach wet-and-dry vacuum on a carbon fibre pole. It reaches the gutters of most two-storey homes from the ground, so we rarely need to climb. A camera on the pole films each run before and after the work.
Every clearance includes a downpipe flush to check that water flows freely at the bottom.
If we find cracks or failed joints, we report them. We do not repair gutters ourselves, but we can point you towards local firms that do. You can read more about our gutter clearance service.
Where we clear gutters
We cover Kent, Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex. For example, we offer gutter clearance in Tonbridge, gutter clearance in Woking and gutter clearance in Horsham. Many customers add it to a roof clean, which saves a second visit.
Common questions
Is autumn really the best time?
Late autumn is a good default because most leaves have fallen by then. If you have evergreens or lots of moss, check again in spring.
Do gutters need clearing if there are no trees nearby?
They still collect silt, moss and roof debris, so an annual look is sensible. Fewer trees usually means fewer problems, but not none.
How will I know the job was done properly?
Ask for proof. Our camera footage of each run before and after the work gives you a record you can keep.
Related reading
Roof growth and blocked gutters often go together. Read about black streaks on roof tiles if you have staining as well.
Our post on whether you can claim roof cleaning on insurance explains why upkeep sits with the homeowner. For the moss side, see lichen on roof tiles.