The fall season is the most popular time to consider gutter cleaning services. With the distinct seasonal changes of the mid-Atlantic, there is no single answer to the question of “When / how often should I have my gutters cleaned?” Much depends on the amount & type of foliage cover around the home and the homeowner’s comfort level with placing environmental strain on their gutter system.
By late September in Virginia, many deciduous tree leaves (ex: maple, oak, dogwood, birch) have begun to lighten in color, while mid- to late-October (even sometimes into early November) is typical for seeing “peak” fall colors. In November, we experience the bulk of the leaf drop as fall turns to winter.
Fall isn’t the only time to clean gutters, however.
Below we offer you some “best practices” for keeping your gutters clean year-round.
Core Seasons
Late Spring (April-June)
In Virginia, peak pollen season is typically in mid-April to early-May. The post-pollen time is ideal for gutter cleaning service, as pollen and winter debris pose a high risk of clogging your gutters and downspouts. Spring is a very popular time of year to get your gutters clear and in good working order in anticipation of warm season rainfall.
Fall (October-December)
Late October to early December is an obvious “no brainer” in terms of cleaning gutters. If you are to pick one time of year to have your gutter cleaning service performed, we highly recommend the fall during or after peak leaf drop. Sticks, leaves and other debris can become compacted in your gutters if they aren’t removed before the winter months. This condition can cause long-term structural damage to your gutters and roof.
Other Times for Gutter Cleaning Service
Late Winter / Early Spring (February-March)
Leaves on many different kinds of trees can cling to branches long past autumn. Further, ice and winter weather can cause sticks to break off and accumulate in gutter runs. Late winter is an overlooked time of year to have your gutters cleared out, especially given the heavy rainfall expected in spring months.
Late Summer (July-August)
The summer rainfall and thunderstorms will invariably deposit sticks and leaves onto your roof and gutters, depending on where taller trees are located on the property. If this is a problem at your home, it might be a good idea to schedule a regular summer gutter cleaning service.
Setting a Schedule for Your Home
If you’re not sure of the correct gutter cleaning frequency for your home, Fall and Late Spring are great times of year to set up initial appointments. Alternatively, give us a call and we’d be happy to send an estimator over to recommend a custom schedule for your property. Gutter cleaning can easily be incorporated into our Service Plans to enjoy 15% OFF savings on each cleaning.