How we clean gutters (the right way)
Gutter cleaning is one of those services where the cheap version isn’t worth the money. The pattern we see when we’re called in to fix a botched job:
- Debris blown onto the roof or scattered across the lawn instead of bagged.
- Downspouts not flushed. Debris compacted into the elbow waiting to clog at the next storm.
- No inspection. Homeowner doesn’t know there’s a separated seam or a rotted fascia behind the gutter.
- No documentation. Homeowner has no proof anything was actually done.
Here’s what’s in every cleaning we run:
1. Hand removal of all debris. We work top down with hands and small scoops, into buckets or bags. We haul it off the property. We don’t blow it.
2. Downspout flush. Every downspout gets a hose run through it after the gutter is clear. If anything is plugged at the elbow, we open it. If we can’t open it from the top, we drop the downspout, clear it, and remount.
3. Top-to-bottom inspection. While we’re up there we look for separated seams, hanger pull, fascia rot, sagging sections, and missing end caps or drip edge. We document anything we see.
4. Before-and-after photos. Of every gutter run. Sent to you the same day along with the inspection notes.
5. Clean cleanup. Tarp under the work area, lawn check before we leave.
How often you actually need cleaning
This is the question every homeowner wants a straight answer on. Here’s how we think about it:
Twice a year (spring and fall):
- Heavy pine, cedar, or eastern hemlock canopy directly over the home.
- Multiple oak or sweet gum trees within 30 feet.
- Black walnut or hickory in the yard.
- Roof valleys that funnel debris from a large catchment.
- Older homes where the gutter system is undersized.
Once a year (typically late fall):
- Moderate deciduous coverage.
- Light pine. A few trees but not a forest.
- Modern homes with properly sized gutters and downspouts.
Every other year or as needed:
- Open lots with no significant overhanging trees.
- Homes with quality gutter guards in place (still need a top-rinse and inspection).
We tell you what your home actually needs. We’d rather have a customer for ten years on annual cleaning than overcharge for unnecessary visits.
What it costs
Most jobs in our service area fall in the $150 to $300 range. The variables that drive price:
- Roof height and complexity. Two-story or three-story homes take longer and require taller ladders or roof access.
- Debris load. A first-time cleaning of an overgrown system costs more than a repeat customer’s annual visit.
- Property access. Walkout basements, tight side-yards, or fenced rear yards add complexity.
- Special conditions. Steep roof pitches, slate or tile roofing that we have to work around, or hard-to-reach valleys.
We quote up front. If we get on site and the job is bigger than the estimate, we tell you before we start, not after.
Recurring service plans
A lot of our cleaning customers prefer a scheduled twice-a-year service. We put you on the calendar (typically late spring and late fall), come do the work without a phone call required, send photos, and bill. For weekend-home owners at Lake Anna, Lake Monticello, and elsewhere across our service area, this is the standard arrangement.
Where we clean
Charlottesville, Albemarle, Barboursville, Orange, Madison, Greene, Fluvanna, Louisa, and Culpeper County. Same pricing structure across the entire service area.
Related work
- Gutter guards. Significantly reduce cleaning frequency.
- Seamless gutter installation. When cleaning isn’t enough and the system needs replacing.
- Drainage solutions. When the cleaning’s done but the water still won’t go anywhere it should.