What Do You Need to Know Before Hiring a Gutter Cleaner?
Gutters play an essential role in maintaining the health and well-being of your home’s structure. They serve as a conduit for directing rainwater off of your roof and away from your home’s foundation and walls. Clogged gutters can create a significant problem as water will spill over onto your roof, walls and potentially into your home.
When it comes to hiring someone to clean your gutters, many people tend to wait until they notice a problem. However, doing so will likely cost more money than performing routine gutter cleaning. Here is an overview of the average cost associated with gutter cleaning and what factors can affect that cost:
Average Price Range of Gutter Cleaning for Residential Properties Depending on Home Size & Story Count
The average cost of having your gutters professionally cleaned can range anywhere from $120 to $300. Typically, smaller homes will be on the low end of that scale and larger or multi-story homes may be on the high end.
Below is a general outline of average costs for residential properties:
• $100-$150 for a small single-story property
• $150-$220 for a medium-sized property
• $220-$300+ for a larger home or two-story property
Other companies may charge by the linear foot of gutter space which can be anywhere from $0.75 to $2.50 per foot. Other companies may charge a flat rate based on the overall size of the property and height of the home.
Although the cost may seem like an added expense, the benefits of regularly cleaning your gutters can save homeowners from having to repair their home due to water damage, roof rot and foundation issues.
Factors That Influence the Final Cost of Professional Gutter Cleaning Services
There are a variety of factors that will influence how much homeowners ultimately spend for gutter cleaning services. Some of these factors will help to determine the amount of time and labor needed to complete the job safely.
PROPERTY SIZE & OVERALL LENGTH OF GUTTER SYSTEM
One of the largest factors that influences the final cost of gutter cleaning is the size of your home. Larger homes have longer gutter systems and therefore require more time to clean.
For instance, a small home might only have 100 feet of gutter space while a large two-story home might have 250-300 feet of gutter space. The more gutter space there is to clean, the higher the cost of gutter cleaning will generally be.
NUMBER OF STORIES & ACCESSIBILITY OF ROOF
Generally, cleaning gutters on a multi-story home will be more expensive than on a single-story home since it takes longer to climb the ladder and use safety precautions.
Also, if there are obstacles such as steep roof lines, tight landscaping or other items surrounding the home that make it difficult for the technician to reach the gutters, the price may also go up for the service.
AMOUNT OF DEBRIS IN GUTTERS & CLEANLINESS OF GUTTERS
Another factor that can influence the final cost of gutter cleaning is the amount of debris in your gutters. If your gutters are being maintained on a regular basis, the amount of debris in the gutters should be relatively minimal and can be easily removed.
However, when gutters have not been cleaned for a while, they can fill up with thick layers of leaves, mud and other debris. This makes it more difficult to clean the gutters and can result in higher prices for service.
Why Is It So Important to Have Your Gutters Cleaned?
Having your gutters cleaned regularly is one of the best things you can do to protect your home from potential long-term damage.
If your gutters become clogged, the excess water will start to back-up behind the clog and can potentially flood the area near the base of your home. Over time, this can lead to cracks in your foundation, basement flooding and structural issues.
Additionally, overflowing gutters can damage your home’s siding, discolor your exterior walls and rot your wooden fascia board. In areas where the winters are cold, clogged gutters can also contribute to forming ice dams.
By keeping your gutters free of debris, you can ensure that water can continue to flow freely off of your roof and away from your home.
How Frequently Should Homeowners Schedule Their Gutter Cleaning Services?
It is recommended that homeowners clean their gutters at least twice each year to keep them functioning correctly.
In general, the two most popular times to clean your gutters are:
• Spring to remove debris from the previous winter storms.
• Fall to clear out the leaves before winter.
If you live under tall trees, you may need to clean your gutters more frequently than once or twice a year. Trees drop pine needles, seeds and leaves all year round, and if they get into your gutters, they can build up quickly and obstruct water flow.
Regular maintenance will also help to reduce the likelihood of clogging and will minimize the cost of gutter cleaning over time.
Understanding Gutter Cleaning Costs and Service Pricing Frequently Asked Questions
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ME TO CLEAN MY TWO-STORY HOME’S GUTTERS?
A two-story home typically costs anywhere from $150 to $300 to clean its gutters, depending on the size of the home and the amount of debris in the gutters.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO CLEAN MY GUTTERS?
Most professional gutter cleaning jobs take about an hour or two, depending on the size of the home and the condition of the gutters.
DO I REALLY NEED TO CLEAN MY GUTTERS EVERY YEAR?
Yes, you do. Cleaning your gutters annually will help to avoid clogs that can lead to roof damage, damage to your home’s foundation, and water spilling around your home.
CAN CLOGGED GUTTERS CAUSE DAMAGE TO MY HOME?
Yes, clogged gutters can lead to serious damage to your home. Clogged gutters can cause water to accumulate around your home’s foundation and/or walls causing extensive damage to your home if not treated promptly.
