14 Ways To Keep Your Gutters Clean Through Each Season

Generally speaking, you should clean your gutters twice a year, once during the early spring and again during the end of the fall. This schedule makes sure that gutters are free of clutter to best handle the heavy spring rains and winter snow. Spring gutter cleaning is the most important for gutters. It allows you to make necessary repairs from winter freezes and flush out any remaining debris in preparation for heavy late-season rainfall. 

Here are some different tips to consider when cleaning your gutters during this season.

Trim Overhanging Trees to Reduce Debris

One of the best ways to reduce the total amount of debris within your gutters is by managing nearby trees and other foliage. Most tree species produce large amounts of pollen, seeds, and other materials that can, over time, clog up your gutters. But certain trees can cause higher-than-normal debris for gutters. Maple trees, for example, produce massive amounts of “helicopter” seed pods that will clog gutters just as fast as falling leaves. I recommend reading up on your property’s tree species to be aware of any extra debris. 

This debris isn’t usually a problem unless trees directly overhang your gutters. That’s why we recommend trimming your trees early as a part of your spring cleaning routine. By removing overhanging limbs, you will reduce the total amount of cleaning your gutters need year-round and keep most pollen out of your gutter system.

Tree pollen removal is also important. This is because when pollen is combined with water, it can become corrosive and weaken your gutters.

Check for Post Winter Damage and Make Replacements Early 

Winter wear and tear is common for even the most well-maintained gutters. As winter runoff from snow filters through your gutters, it can freeze and expand within cracks or openings. This expansion can lead to gaps between straight connectors, loosened hangers, small cracks, and other minor issues. I recommend checking for any damage while cleaning and making the appropriate repairs or replacements before heavy spring rains exacerbate any water damage. 

Consider Installing Gutter Guards

Summer gutter cleaning, while less common, might be necessary depending on your region or the trees on your property. Summer gutter cleaning has many of the same rules as spring gutter cleaning and should be done early in the season before the heat becomes unbearable.

The expert team at Today’s Homeowner recommends keeping an eye on your gutters in the early summer. If they appear to be getting clogged, a quick cleaning may be in order. 

Work Early and Take Breaks

The biggest hurdle for summer gutter cleaning is the heat. Since you will be so close to your roof, the shingles absorb and radiate additional heat from the sun. When cleaning your gutters, do so early in the morning, and take frequent breaks to avoid overheating.

You should also wear appropriate clothing to protect yourself from the heat and properly hydrate. If it becomes too hot, it’s best to stop for the day and resume early tomorrow. 

Use the Right Gear

The fall is when gutters become the most clogged. This is due to falling leaves, twigs, nuts, and seed pods that are blown around by the autumn wind, which then impedes water flow. For this reason, you should clean as late into the fall as possible. If you clean too early, your gutters will fill back up again.

Clogs can also lead to ice and snow buildup later in the season, making damage and gutter failure more likely during the winter. To keep your gutters in good shape in the autumn, here are some expert tips I have for gutter maintenance during this season.

Get a Good Scoop 

As mentioned above, fall debris is thicker than that of any other season. Common problems include wet, sticky leaves compacted down inside your gutters. When combined with other foliage materials, this can become a thick and heavy mass that can be tricky to get rid of. A good gutter cleaning scoop is the best way to clear heavy fall debris.

Most scoops are designed to fit into “K” style gutters and resemble hand trowels. You can buy a scoop specially designed for gutters for an average of $8 in most home improvement stores, and they are designed to be long enough to reach into gutters without issues. In a pinch, I recommend a child’s sandbox shovel or a standard hand trowel.

Work Toward the Middle and Away From the Downspout 

One of the most common areas that can become clogged from debris is your downspout. This can also happen during cleaning. If you work from one side of the gutter straight to the other — this is because as you push the leaves, they will eventually fall into and clog the downspout.

The expert team at Today’s Homeowner recommends working from one downspout to the center of a gutter, and then working from the other side towards the center again. This helps keep your downspouts free and clear while you are cleaning.

Check Your Downspouts and Flush Before Winter

Speaking of downspout clogs, you will want to clear them out before winter kicks in. Downspout clogs can cause ice and water to overflow, pop out of the sides of the gutter, or even coat the entire outsideof the gutter in ice. As temperatures drop, this can lead to frozen clogs that completely freeze the downspout and make it impossible for any water to pass through. This traps moisture near your home and causes additional problems.

You can avoid this by thoroughly flushing out your downspouts and declogging them during your fall cleaning. This is just one of the steps you can take in late fall to make sure that your drainage system is ready for winter.

Tighten Spikes

This tip applies to all homeowners but is doubly important for those in areas with heavy snowfall or in areas with lots of fall foliage. As gutters become filled, the weight of debris will slowly pull on the hangers and attachment spikes that hold gutters to the exterior wood.

Eventually, these spikes loosen, resulting in the gutters sagging or leaning away from the house. If this occurs and heavy snowfall hits the gutters, the weight of the compacted ice and snow can cause the gutters to break free and fall.

For this reason, when you do your fall cleaning, it is recommended that you check your gutter spikes. You can tighten them if they have become loose or make the necessary repairs if they have detached from your house entirely. This allows your gutters to function properly during this time of year.

Ideally, your gutters should be functioning correctly in the winter and not require any cleaning or maintenance. However, under the right circumstances, ice and snow can build up on properly maintained gutters, requiring some work to clear them. 

Use Proper Ladder Safety and Have a Spotter

If you do decide to address your gutter issues yourself during the coldest season of the year, keep in mind that any form of gutter maintenance in the winter is even more dangerous due to the slick and icy conditions. When working on gutters in the winter, be sure to proceed with the utmost caution and do the following:

• Use a sturdy, extendable ladder;
• Wear the proper winter clothing;
• Check the ladder’s location for ice before ascending;
• Always work with a spotter (or at the very least inform someone inside that you’re going up);
• Do not overextend while on the ladder;
• Always maintain three points of contact with the ladder.

Keep in mind that if you do not feel comfortable addressing gutter problems yourself during the winter, it may be best to contact a professional gutter cleaning service to handle these issues instead.

Check For Clogs and Know When to Clean

As mentioned above, you shouldn’t have to clean your gutters in the winter, but it can still pay off to keep an eye on them. If gutters are not properly draining water, they will freeze up and become iced over. When this happens, the tops of your gutters will resemble a massive, frozen mixture of ice, snow, and other debris. 

Keeping your gutters clean and free of debris is essential for them to function correctly. I recommend regular gutter cleaning in the early spring and late fall, but you may need to deal with gutter issues in the summer and winter. Ideally, keeping an eye on your gutters year-round and taking appropriate actions when needed allows you to have well-maintained gutters that can keep your lawn, foundation, and other house structures free of water. 

If you have never cleaned gutters before, this video by Home Depot provides a great example of how to clean gutters quickly and efficiently. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Seasonal Gutter Maintenance

After extensive research, I’ve found that these are the most common questions that homeowners have about seasonal gutter maintenance.

How often should I clean my gutters?

It’s generally recommended to clean gutters at least twice a year — once in late spring after trees have shed their blooms and seeds, and again in late fall after leaves have fallen. This prevents you from having to do additional cleaning when your gutters inevitably refill.

What’s the best way to clean gutters?

Using a gutter scoop or trowel to remove debris is effective. A gutter brush can help dislodge stuck-on materials. Using a leaf blower or gardening vac can also make the job easier.

How do I prevent gutter clogs?

Installing gutter guards or covers can prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris from entering the gutters in the first place. Trimming overhanging tree branches also helps reduce buildup.

How can I effectively maintain my gutters during the winter?

The best way to maintain your gutters during the winter is to perform preventative maintenance in other seasons. You can use a roof rake to remove snow from your eaves and help prevent ice dam formation. Keep in mind that gutter maintenance during the winter is risky, so it’s better to work with a professional gutter cleaning and maintenance service if there is a problem that requires immediate attention.

How can I tell if my gutters need to be replaced?

Severe cracking, peeling paint, and lots of rust spots are just some of the signs that gutters are failing and should be replaced. If you notice any water damage on the exterior of your home, it’s also best to check and see if your gutter system is working properly.