How often should gutters be cleaned? For most homes, once a year is enough, ideally in late autumn once the leaves have dropped. Houses close to mature trees usually need clearing twice a year, and any gutter showing signs of a blockage should be dealt with straight away rather than left until the next scheduled clean.
August is a good time to have a look. The weather is dry, it is easy to spot problems from the garden, and you can book a clear before the autumn storms arrive.
What are the signs your gutters are blocked?
- Water spilling over the front edge during rain instead of running to the downpipe.
- Plants or moss growing out of the gutter. If grass is growing up there, there is a lot of soil underneath it.
- Damp patches on inside walls or ceilings of upstairs rooms, often in the corners.
- Green streaks or staining down the brickwork below the gutter.
- Sagging sections or gutters pulling away from the fascia, a sign of heavy, waterlogged debris.
- A dry downpipe during heavy rain, which usually means the outlet is blocked at the top.
How often should gutters be cleaned if you have trees nearby?
Trees change everything. Many older streets and villages around Cambridge, such as Histon, Girton and Comberton, have mature oaks, sycamores and limes that fill gutters every autumn. Pine needles are just as bad, as they knit together into a mat that stops water flowing. For these homes, we usually recommend a clear in late autumn and another in spring to catch seeds, blossom and anything the winter winds brought in.
Newer homes in Cambourne often have fewer trees nearby, but moss from roof tiles still washes down into the gutters and builds up over time. A yearly clear is normally enough there.
What does a professional gutter clean involve?
A proper gutter clear should cover more than scooping out leaves. Make sure the job includes:
- Removing all debris, silt and moss from every run, not just the front of the house.
- Clearing the outlets where gutters drain into the downpipes.
- Checking the downpipes flow freely, and clearing them if they are blocked.
- Bagging and taking the waste away, rather than leaving it in your borders.
- Pointing out any leaking joints, loose brackets or damaged sections.
It is worth asking for photos of the gutters afterwards, especially on the back of the house where you cannot easily see them yourself.
What happens if you ignore blocked gutters?
A blocked gutter sends rainwater down the face of the wall instead of into the drain. Over a wet winter, that can soak through brickwork and cause damp inside, rot timber fascias and soffits, and saturate the ground right next to your foundations. The weight of wet debris, and ice in a cold snap, puts strain on brackets and joints until sections sag or split. Clearing gutters costs far less than repairing any of that.
Frequently asked questions
How much does gutter cleaning cost?
Our domestic gutter clearing starts from £129. The final price depends on the size of the house and how easy the gutters are to reach.
Can I clear my gutters myself?
On a single-storey building with firm, level ground, many people do. On a two-storey house, working from a ladder while scooping out wet debris is genuinely risky, and it is a job best left to someone with the right kit.
Should fascias be cleaned at the same time?
It makes sense to do both together, as overflowing gutters are often what stains the fascias in the first place. Fascia cleaning starts from £125.
How CamClean can help
We offer gutter cleaning in Cambridge and the surrounding villages, from £129. We can also clean your fascias and soffits or conservatory roof on the same visit. Call 01954 783308 or book your gutter clear before the leaves start to fall.
