Fall is definitely the most important time of the year for gutter cleaning. You want to make sure the leaves and debris that made their way into your gutters are cleared out before the winter weather sets in. When gutters are clogged, snow and ice can build up in the gutters, leading to expensive water damage to your home. But when is the best time in the fall to clean your gutters? Before the leaves start to fall? After they have finished falling? Generally, it is best to wait to clean your gutters until after the leaves have completely fallen, but there are exceptions.
Clean Your Gutters in the Beginning of Fall If Your Gutters Already Contain Significant Debris
Sometimes the spring and summer can bring some serious storms. Heavy wind and rain can cause your gutters to fill up with debris (branches, twigs, leaves, seeds). If not addressed at the time, the leaves can even decay creating a rich soil for greenery to start growing in your gutters. Look up at your gutters, siding and facia. If you notice any of the following, you should have your gutters cleaned before the leaves start to fall:
- Leaves piling up on top of the gutters and/or along the roofline
- Seedlings growing in your gutters
- Water overflowing from gutters when it rains
- Water leaking from gutters down the side of the house or into the house
- Water leaking from gutter joints and seams
- Water is not coming out of the downspouts
- Water damage on the siding or facia
If you are experiencing any of these signs, it’s a good idea to clean your gutters twice in the fall – once before the leaves start to fall and again once after every last leaf has dropped.
Clean Your Gutters Midway Through Fall If You Live Near a Lot of Trees
If you live on a wooded lot or your home is surrounded by many trees, you may actually need to have your gutters cleaned twice during the fall season: once mid-way through the season and then again at the end of the season when all the leaves have finished falling. If you live in such a location, keep an eye on the trees and your gutters so that you can appropriately schedule a cleaning.
If You Don’t Fall into the Above Categories, Clean Your Gutters After the Last Leaves Have Fallen
In general, if your gutters are pretty clear and you don’t live on an overly wooded piece of property, we recommend waiting until the end of the season to clean your gutters. BUT you want to keep an eye on the weather. If the temperatures unseasonably drop, you want to clean your gutters even if all the leaves haven’t fallen. The leaves and other debris are harder to remove in the colder weather, and when the temperatures drop below 32 degrees, that debris will freeze and trying to remove it then could end up damaging your gutters.
Our Tips for Scheduling Fall Gutter Cleaning
- Monitor your gutters and how they are working to determine if you need to clean your gutters at the beginning of fall.
- If you live in a very wooded area, consider scheduling cleanings before the leaves start to fall and after the last leaf has dropped.
- Let the weather be your guide – if the temperature gets cold fast, you may need to clean out leaves sooner rather than later.
- Be sure to schedule your professional gutter cleaning early so you can get on the gutter company’s schedule before winter arrives.
- Try to arrange for your cleanings to be done at the same time every year so you are on an optimal schedule.
