Spring is here. The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and it’s time to inspect your gutters for any winter debris that may be blocking the “April Showers” from safely moving through your gutter system. Exciting, isn’t it? While it’s not as much fun as attending a baseball game or planting seeds for summer in your garden, gutter maintenance is a springtime chore that needs to be addressed each year.
I Just Cleaned My Gutters Last Fall, Do I Really Need to Clean Them Again in Spring?
Yes, after a long winter of handling the weight and strain of snow, ice, frozen debris, rain, and leaves, it’s essential to have your gutters cleaned and inspected for any damage or issues, and to ensure they’re properly directing water away from your home’s foundation. Skipping regular maintenance can lead to many types of potential damage, costing time and money that could be better spent enjoying outdoor activities this spring!
During the Winter Months, Serious Problems May Have Filled Your Downspout
Each winter, your gutters work overtime to keep your home safe. Whether you did a DIY gutter cleaning or called in a professional in the fall, it’s time to look for signs of damage and buildup to avoid pesky critters, roof or foundation damage, and sagging gutters. Thinking about skipping it? Take a look at the costs of neglecting your gutters before you brush them off.
Sagging Gutters and Damaged Fascia
If your gutters became full of water due to a clog or freezing, the weight could have led to the gutter pulling away from the fascia, causing damage to the gutter, wood, or both.
Critter and Pest Damage
Small animals are looking for cozy spaces just like your gutters to build their homes, and without regular inspections and cleanings, this might go unnoticed. Skip the critters moving into your attic next by cleaning your gutters.
Roofing or Foundation Damage
If ice damming or heavy standing water caused your gutters to pull away, you could have opened up water access to your roof, inviting water damage into your home. If clogs lead to water cascading from your gutters, foundational damage can also occur in the future.
How to Prepare Gutters for Spring
Clean
Gather your tools. You’ll need a sturdy ladder, gloves, a gutter cleaning tool or scoop, a trowel, a debris removal bag or compost bin, and a garden hose. Using a gutter scoop, remove the accumulated leaves, twigs, and debris from your gutters beginning at the downspout and working your way to the closed end. Use caution when using a ladder and do not attempt it if you are not comfortable standing on a ladder at great heights. Contact a professional for assistance.
Inspect
Once the debris is removed, visually inspect your gutters for cracks or signs of damage in the system. Run the garden hose for a few moments and watch how the water drains. If you find damage, contact a professional for assistance and schedule a repair right away.
Document
Take note of what you see so you can track any trouble spots in the future. Use our handy Spring Gutter Cleaning Checklist to document your findings. If you find damage or are unable to clean the gutters sufficiently yourself, consider contacting a professional like Aerotech for a spring cleaning and inspection.
Our Tips on How to Find Trustworthy Professional Gutter Cleaners
When you bring in experts for a professional gutter cleaning, you’ll gain peace of mind that this chore has been handled properly and that your rain gutters are in good working order. A professional will come with the right tools, experience, and insurance to make sure your regular gutter cleaning is done safely and effectively.
When looking for a professional, ensure that your gutter pros are licensed and insured, so you’re protected in the event of any damage to your property or bodily harm during the cleaning process. At Aerotech, we offer quarterly, bi-monthly, and monthly maintenance schedules to prevent debris buildup from occurring and provide thorough cleaning throughout the year.
What Seasonal Gutter Maintenance Services Does Aerotech Offer?
We offer quarterly, bi-monthly, and monthly cleaning packages to our clients depending on the tree cover, roof debris, and gutter style of their homes. All of our cleanings include an inspection to identify potential damage before it becomes a bigger problem. Because each home is unique, we offer a free in-person quote to assess the best ways to keep your gutters in top shape at any time of year. Learn more about our gutter cleaning services or get a free quote today!
Spring Gutter Cleaning FAQs
When is the Best Time to Clean Gutters in the Spring?
Depending on the amount of trees and debris you experience in your area, spring cleaning could begin as soon as March. By the end of April, you should have cleaned and inspected your gutters to remove debris and ensure proper water flow for spring rains.
Should I Hire a Professional, Or Clean the Gutters Myself?
If you are a highly skilled DIY’er who can be safe on a ladder at great heights, cleaning your own gutters may be accessible for you. If that’s not the case, the good news is our professionals are ready to jump in and help. Cleanings can take as little as 10-30 minutes, depending on the size of your home, and you don’t need to be home for us to complete our regular cleanings. Read more here on how a gutter cleaning professional can be better than a DIY approach.
If I Cleaned My Gutters in the Fall, Do They Need to Be Cleaned In Spring?
Yes, even mild winters bring leaves, wind, and a surprising amount of dirt and debris into your gutters. Not to mention the pests that may have discovered a new home up there during the cold months. Checking for blockages, damage, leaks, and functionality each spring is key to protecting your home’s gutter system for the future.
What is the Average Cost of a Gutter Cleaning?
The average cost of a gutter cleaning is less than you may think! For most people, it costs less than their monthly coffee budget to have their home professionally cleaned. And remember, the risk of costly repairs for structural issues costs a LOT more than a gutter cleaning. Learn more about the Average Cost of a Gutter Clean on our blog.
Contact Aerotech Today And Let The Gutter Experts Handle Your Spring Gutter Maintenance
Improve your home’s curb appeal, protect your home’s foundation, and enjoy checking another home maintenance task off your list this spring when you call Aerotech to handle your spring gutter cleaning!
We’re Here to Serve!
Aerotech brings over 34 years of gutter expertise to every job. We’re fully insured, so you will have peace of mind that the job will be completed safely and efficiently every time.
Aerotech proudly services: