How often should a gutter be cleaned?

How often do most homes need gutter cleaning?

Most homes need gutter cleaning once a year. A single clean in late November or early December clears the year's leaf fall before the wettest months. Homes with no trees nearby and a newer roof may manage every 18 months, but leaving gutters longer than that usually means outlets start to block.

Which homes need cleaning more often?

Homes need cleaning more often when more debris lands on the roof. Twice a year is sensible for:

• Homes near trees, including those on tree-lined roads or near green spaces such as Clennon Valley.
• Older roofs with moss, which washes into the gutters in every heavy shower. Slate and clay-tiled roofs around Old Paignton and Polsham often fall into this group.
• Roofs where gulls nest, because nesting material, feathers and droppings collect in the gutters each summer.
• Homes with valleys or flat roofs that drain into the main gutters.

For these homes, the usual pattern is a clean in late autumn and another in late summer or spring.

Does living near the sea change how often you clean?

Living near the sea doesn't change how much debris falls into your gutters, but it does make regular cleaning more important. Salt carried on the sea air settles on gutters and fixings in Paignton, and debris that stays wet for months speeds up rust on metal brackets, screws and cast iron gutters. Keeping gutters clear helps them dry out between showers.

Should you check gutters after storms?

You should check gutters after storms, because strong winds blow twigs, leaves and grit onto roofs, and can loosen brackets or lift sections of gutter. Torbay sees regular winter storms, and a quick look from the ground afterwards can catch a problem early. Check for water spilling over, gutters pulling away from the fascia, or downpipes that have come apart.

How can you tell if yours are due?

Your gutters are due a clean when water spills over the edge during rain, plants appear along the gutter line or downpipes stay dry in a downpour. See how to tell if gutters need to be cleaned for the full list.

When is the best time to book?

The best time to book is late autumn for the main clean, with a second clean in late summer if gulls have nested on your roof. Read what month you should clean gutters and what happens if you never clean gutters.

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