Use This Recommended Gutter Cleaning Schedule for Proper Maintenance
Gutter cleaning is a necessary task for any home that has gutters - including those with gutter guards.
Sticking to our recommended gutter cleaning schedule will help you ensure the function of your gutter system as well as protect your home from water, snow and ice damage.
Most homes require gutter cleaning at least twice a year, and some perhaps more depending on where they are located.
In regions with a variety of seasonal climates, gutters can become clogged with leaves, pine needles, pollen, seed pods, and even bird’s nests. In climates that experience storms, gutters can capture twigs and tree limbs that may have fallen.
For the Long Island area, our recommended gutter cleaning schedule includes the late winter/early spring, late spring/early summer, and in the autumn, before the start of winter.
Late Winter/Early Spring Gutter Cleaning
Snow and ice
While you may not be thinking about falling leaves this time of year, the late winter and early spring season holds the risk of severe water damage due to snow and ice build up on your roof and in your gutters.
If you see what appears to be excess snow and ice in your gutters that is causing you concern, especially if you also see any gutter damage such as bent or broken gutters, having your gutters cleaned and inspected professionally will be worth it.
Tree debris
Along with snow and ice build up, plant twigs and limbs may also be trapped, creating the hazard of standing water on your roof that damages shingles and can potentially leak into your home.
If your home has pine trees that are close by or even over your roof sheltering your home, you likely have trapped pine needles that were knocked off the trees by the snow or ice.
Inspecting your gutters and removing any winter debris will ensure that ice and snow melt can flow through the gutter system as intended. Plus, since spring tends to be a rainy season, ensuring that your gutters are thoroughly clean and prepared for the extra water is a must.
Late Spring/Early Summer Gutter Cleaning
Tree seed pods
Our recommended gutter cleaning schedule includes the late spring season after the initial pollen and tree seed pod ‘rush’. Those little helicopter seed pods that are fun to watch as they float down from the trees while spinning in the breeze, are one of the largest guilty parties when it comes to spring gutter clogs. Once they’re wet, they tend to stick inside of your gutters and removing them by hand is the only safe and effective solution.
Pollen
Pollen, while made up of very small particles, is another clogging agent. Tree, grass and ragweed pollen blow in the wind, settling like dust on surfaces, including gutters. While rainwater will wash away most pollen, if you notice that your gutters look a little yellow and they shouldn’t, you likely have pollen buildup that needs addressing.
Animal nests
Another gutter clogging hazard to watch out for are bird and rodent nests. Just keep your eye out for extra animal activity on your roof and if you see a mass of twigs, leaves or other debris, you may have an unexpected tenant on your roof.
When inspecting the nest, be cautious in the event there are eggs or baby animals. Mom won’t be happy with you disturbing her home and may make her presence known! In these cases, it is best to call a gutter cleaning service since they have the experience to deal with wildlife in a safe and humane manner.
Plants
If you see plants growing out of your gutters, you’ve likely trapped enough debris that plant seeds or clippings that blew in the wind or were deposited by an animal, were able to successfully root. Plants that are growing in your gutters will quickly take up space causing the potential for damaging water spillover and runoff.
Autumn Gutter Cleaning
The time of year most of us instinctively think about cleaning our gutters is in the autumn after the leaves have fallen from the trees.
It is an absolute must to remove the leaves as they have a tendency to group together and are hard to flush out by rainfall alone. If your property has a lot of large trees such as oak, maple, elm, fruiting or pine trees, you will collect falling leaves in your gutters. Even if your yard does not have a lot of trees or if they are not close to your home, leaves can blow from neighbor’s trees and land on your roof and gutters.
It can be tempting to wait as long as possible to clean out your gutters but always try to do it before the first snowfall. Ice and snow buildup on top of gutters that are clogged with leaves and other debris will create melting issues and can cause water damage to your home and even damage to the gutters themselves.
Gutter Guard Gutter Cleaning Schedule
Gutter guards do an excellent job of preventing most debris from accumulating in your gutters but sticking to a cleaning schedule is still important.
Ice and snow can still collect in the winter, pollen in the summer, and pesky pine needles in the fall.
Inspecting your gutter guards for damage will help maintain their lifespan and any clogs that are identified can be removed by simply lifting the guards and cleaning out the gutter beneath.
Homeowners with gutter guards should plan on having their gutters inspected and cleaned at least once per year but also maintain their own visual inspection throughout the year in the event of damage or unexpected clogs.
Contact Ned Stevens for Gutter Cleaning
Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning of Long Island offers cost-saving contract options for seasonal gutter cleaning. We’ll work with you to determine what the right schedule is for your home and, using our services, you will never have to worry about scheduling your gutter cleaning again!
We’ve been serving homes in Nassau County and Suffolk County since 1965. Contact us today for your gutter cleaning, gutter repair, or gutter replacement needs.
