In this article, we will address the most commonly asked questions about gutter cleaning and provide some information specific to Prime Shine's gutter cleaning services. If you have a question that is not answered here, please reach out to us and we will do our best to help you.
Why is gutter cleaning important?
Gutters are an integral piece of your home’s well being. They serve to control the flow of rainwater and melting snow away from your home, protecting your roof, walls, foundation and landscape.
A debris clogged gutter can lead to the following problems:
A build-up of water that can flow underneath the shingles of your roof, damaging the wood and other structures;
A leaky roof or water damage to the interior or exterior of your home;
The growth of contaminants like mildew and mould, which can spread under the eaves and into the soffit and attic areas of the home;
The nesting of rodents and insects;
The tearing and sagging of gutters;
Damage to the gradient of the gutter's slant (known as the gutter’s pitch line) allowing water to stagnate away from the downspouts; and
Damage to your home's foundation.
Keeping your gutters cleaned regularly will protect your home's integrity and save you money on repairs in the long run.
Do I still need to get my gutters cleaned if I have gutter guards?
Even the very best gutter guard systems require cleaning, though the better the system, the less frequent the cleaning required. Over time, debris will build up inside the gutters that should be cleaned out. If left neglected, it can cause damage to your home.
How often should I get my gutters cleaned?
Experts recommend cleaning your gutters twice a year, once in the spring and once in the early fall. If you have gutter guards, you will need to clean your gutters less frequently.
Here on Vancouver Island, we have many clients who live in heavily forested areas, so we often encourage them to move their fall service to later in the season. We also recommend having your gutters inspected and possibly recleaned after an unusually heavy wind storm if you have Evergreen trees around your home.
Do I need to be home during the gutter cleaning service?
As gutters are outside of your home, most gutter cleaning companies will not need you to be home during your service.
At Prime Shine, we do not require you to be home during your gutter cleaning service. However, if you are not going to be home and have dogs that will become stressed by having a service technician working on your property, please let us know so we can make appropriate arrangements with you.
What do professional gutter cleaners do?
Professional gutter cleaners will clean out the debris from the insides of the gutters and downspouts.
At Prime Shine, our technicians will clean out the debris from your gutters and downspouts by hand and remove it from your property. We will also inspect your gutters and hangers, alert you to any issues, and ensure that the perimeter of your home has been properly cleaned up before we leave.
Prime Shine also offers roof moss and leaf removal, exterior gutter cleaning, and soffit cleaning services for an additional charge.
Will professional gutter cleaners need to go on the roof?
Most gutter cleaning crews will need to go on your roof to clean your gutters unless it is unsafe to do so. At Prime Shine, we will clean gutters by using ladders with arm extensions (to protect your gutters while we do our work), or access them from the roof if your roof is walkable. If your roof is slate or cedar shake, covered in moss, too steep, or damaged, our technicians will provide the service by ladder only.
Do professional gutter cleaning services include unclogging underground drains?
Most gutter cleaning companies do not include underground drains with a gutter cleaning service. However, they can verify if it is clogged and disconnect the downspout from the drain above the ground, re-directing the water until you get somebody to snake out the underground drains.
Do professional gutter cleaning services include repairs?
This will depend upon the professional gutter cleaning company you use. At Prime Shine, we include minor repairs, such as tapping in loose gutter spikes, reattaching loose gutters, and replacing rotten outlets with our gutter cleaning service. Where applicable, there will be an additional charge for parts and materials. If more extensive repairs are needed, please let your technician know during the estimate.
Does professional gutter cleaning include gutter guard or new eavestrough installation?
Most gutter cleaning companies do not include gutter guard or new gutter/eavestrough installation. However, if you are getting gutter guards or new gutters, the installation company may offer gutter cleaning service as part of their package. If you are looking for new gutters or quality gutter guards, Prime Shine encourages you to contact https://gutters-r-us.ca.
If you have purchased your own gutter guards and would like us to install them for you, please speak to one of our technicians to arrange an estimate.
How long does it take to have your gutters professionally cleaned?
The time it takes to clean your gutters will depend on the size of your home, how much debris has accumulated, whether you have gutter guards/covers, and the pitch of your roof.
It can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 4 hours or more.
How much does it cost to have your gutters cleaned?
At Prime Shine, our professional gutter cleaning services range from $125 for an average size family home to $250+ for a large, multi-level home. The cost of professional gutter cleaning is dependent upon several factors, including:
the size of your home;
how easy/difficult it is to access the gutters;
whether you have gutter guards that need removing; and
how much debris has accumulated in the gutters
the time and equipment required to clean your gutters
To give you an accurate price for your gutter cleaning, we will come to your property, see what needs to be done and email you an official estimate. If you are happy with the price, we will schedule your service.