Housemonth / Guides
How often to clean gutters
Twice a year in most climates: once in spring and once after the leaves come down. Where winters are mild that is April and November; where it is hot and dry, once, in November.
3 jobs a year, timed for mild winters. Tick them off as you go.
March
April
November
"Add these to my calendar" opens the free planner with this already ticked. Tick the rest of your house there, and it saves one calendar file that repeats every year.
The numbers, worked
With mild winters the gutters get 3 jobs a year: clean them in April and November, and check in March that the downspouts carry water away from the house.
Where winters are cold the cleanings come earlier, in May and October, so the fall one is done before freezing weather; the downspout check is in April. Hot and humid is April and November with the check in June; hot and dry is one cleaning in November and the check in July.
Questions
When is the best time to clean gutters in the fall?
After most of the leaves have come down: November where winters are mild or it is hot, October where they are cold.
Why only once a year in a hot, dry climate?
This schedule puts one cleaning in November for that band, after the leaves fall. If trees overhang your roof, add a spring cleaning.
What is the downspout check?
A look at where each downspout empties, to make sure the water runs away from the house. It comes once a year, in a different month for each climate band.
Can I get a reminder?
Yes. "Add these to my calendar" opens the free planner with Gutters ticked; it saves a calendar file that repeats every year.