Gutter Cleaning in London, KY

How often should gutters be cleaned under Laurel County trees?

Most homes here need their gutters cleaned at least twice a year, once in late spring and once after the leaves are down in late fall. Houses under tall oaks, maples, or pines often need three or four cleanings.

Laurel County lots tend to be wooded, and the trees drop something almost all year. In spring it's maple seeds, oak tassels, and pollen that turns to sludge in the bottom of the trough. Summer storms bring down twigs and green leaves. Fall is the big one, when oaks, poplars, and maples empty onto the roof over a few weeks. Pines shed needles year-round, and needles knit together into mats that hold water like a sponge.

A simple rule: if a branch hangs over the roof, plan on more than two cleanings a year. If the nearest tree is across the yard, twice a year is usually plenty. Asphalt shingles also shed loose granules, and that grit settles in the gutter even on houses with no trees at all.

What does a gutter cleaning include?

A full cleaning clears every gutter run by hand, flushes each downspout until water runs freely, and checks the system for the problems that cause overflow and leaks.

• Leaves, needles, seeds, and packed sludge removed from every run
• The outlet into each downspout cleared
• Every downspout flushed with a hose, with clogs at the elbows broken up
• Water flow checked so it runs toward the outlets instead of sitting in low spots
• Hangers checked for loose screws or spikes pulling out of the fascia
• Seams, corners, and end caps checked for drips
• Soft or stained fascia and problems at the roof edge noted

Debris goes into bags, not onto your flower beds. When we're done, we tell you what we found and show you photos of anything that needs attention. Small fixes, like resetting a loose hanger or resealing a dripping end cap, can often be handled the same visit if you want them. Bigger problems, like a sagging run or rotted fascia, go on a written estimate so you can decide later. If your gutters are worn out, read about new seamless gutters in London, KY.

How can I tell if my gutters are clogged?

The clearest sign is water pouring over the front edge of the gutter during a steady rain instead of coming out the bottom of the downspout.

Walk around the house during the next good rain and look for these:

• Water spilling over the gutter or dripping behind it
• A downspout that only trickles while it's raining hard
• Grass or seedlings growing out of the gutter
• A gutter sagging or pulling away from the house under wet debris
• Dark streaks on the fascia or muddy splash marks on the siding
• Washed-out mulch or a trench in the ground below the roof edge
• A damp basement or crawl space after storms
• Thick ice along the gutter in winter

Clogs cost more than a cleaning when they're left alone. Water that backs up soaks the fascia, runs behind the gutter, and can find its way into the wall. In winter, a packed gutter freezes solid, and the extra weight can pull it off the house.

Why have a roofer clean your gutters?

Because the risk in gutter cleaning isn't the leaves. It's the damage done to the roof and gutters while getting to them.

A ladder leaned straight against an aluminum gutter dents or kinks it. Walking a roof on a hot afternoon scuffs granules off soft shingles, and walking it on a cold morning can crack brittle tabs. Pressure washers blast granules loose and can drive water under the shingle edge. Scraping with a metal tool can bend the drip edge or tear the first row of shingles.

We clean gutters the way we'd want ours done. Ladders go up with standoffs so they rest against the wall or roof, not the gutter. We stay off the roof when the gutters can be reached from a ladder, and when we do have to walk it, we know where to step. Since we spend our days on roofs, we also notice a lifted shingle, a cracked pipe boot, or missing drip edge while we're up there. If we see something, we'll point it out so you can decide whether it needs a roof repair.

Should I book a one-time cleaning or seasonal cleanings?

A one-time cleaning makes sense if the gutters are already overflowing or you're getting a house ready to sell. Spring and fall cleanings make sense if your trees fill the gutters every year.

A spring cleaning, usually in May or early June after seeds and tassels fall, clears the winter's buildup before summer thunderstorms. A fall cleaning, after most leaves are down, empties the gutters before freezing weather. Homes under heavy pines may need a midsummer visit too. On a regular schedule, we get to know the house, so problems that are slowly getting worse stand out.

Tired of cleanings altogether? Gutter guards can cut down how often the gutters need attention, though no guard makes them maintenance-free. We'll tell you honestly whether guards would pay off on your house. Gutter cleaning is one part of the exterior work we do for London and Corbin homeowners. Learn more about us.

What customers say.

Read our Google reviews

Gutter cleaning questions, answered.

Visit our London office.

333 N Main St, Suite D, London, KY 40741. Gutter cleaning for London and Laurel County, with office hours Monday through Friday, 8 to 6. Call (606) 401-9922.