Gutters are easy to forget, until water starts pouring over the edge in a downpour. Here is how to tell when your gutters need cleaning, the best time to do it in Yorkshire, and why it is worth doing before small problems become expensive ones.
Six signs your gutters need cleaning
- Water spills over the edge when it rains instead of running down the downpipe.
- Plants, grass or moss are growing out of the gutter.
- Damp patches or green stains appear on outside walls, or damp shows on inside walls.
- Gutters are sagging or pulling away from the fascia under the weight of debris.
- Downpipes gurgle or stay dry during heavy rain, a sign of a blockage.
- Birds are nesting or pests are visiting the gutter.
What happens if you ignore them?
A blocked gutter sends hundreds of litres of water down your walls in a single storm. Over time that can lead to:
- Damp walls, mould and spoiled decoration inside
- Rotten fascia and soffit boards
- Cracked brickwork and spalling when soaked walls freeze
- Water pooling around foundations
- Gutters breaking away under the weight of wet debris
Any one of those costs far more to fix than a yearly gutter clean.
When to clean gutters in Yorkshire
For most homes, once a year in late autumn is ideal, after the leaves have come down and before winter storms and frosts. Homes surrounded by trees, as in many villages around Selby and York, may need a second clean in spring. Moss from roofs is another common cause of blockages; if your roof is mossy, consider roof moss removal.
DIY or professional?
Clearing a bungalow gutter from a stepladder is manageable for some people, but two-storey homes mean working at height, which is where most domestic accidents happen. Professional gutter cleaning with a vacuum system clears gutters from the ground, removes all the waste and lets you see the result.
How we clean gutters
We use a powerful gutter vacuum on carbon-fibre poles with a camera, so we can clear and inspect gutters up to three storeys high from the ground. You get before and after photos, and we take every bit of waste away. For commercial buildings we also work from scaffolding or a cherry picker.
Find out about residential gutter cleaning orcommercial gutter cleaning.
Quick answers
- When is the best time to clean gutters?
- Late autumn, once most leaves have fallen, so gutters are clear for winter. Homes near trees may need a second clean in spring.
- Can blocked gutters cause damp?
- Yes. Overflowing water soaks brickwork and can cause damp patches inside, as well as damage to fascias and foundations.
- How do I know the job has been done properly?
- Ask for before and after photos. We use a camera on our gutter vacuum so you can see the gutters are clear.