Rain gutters, those easily-forgotten trenches that hang off the edge of your roof, protect your roof, walls and foundation from excess rainwater. When they get clogged with leaves, sticks and other wind-blown debris, they can no longer direct water away from your walls and foundation, and may become homes for pests and insects. They also become heavy enough to pull away from the house, preventing proper rainwater drainage and spoiling the appearance of your home. Experts recommend inspecting and cleaning your gutters twice a year, once in spring and once in fall, as part of your regular landscaping schedule. Gutter cleaning and maintenance is a fairly easy DIY job for some homeowners, especially on one-story homes. However, professional gutter cleaners have ladders tall enough to safely reach rain gutters, as well as the necessary tools to clean out the downspouts. Most gutter cleaning professionals can also make any necessary quick repairs.

To find and hire a reputable pro, start by comparing gutter cleaning services in your area online. This may include companies that solely offer gutter cleaning, as well as companies that provide roofing, pressure washing, lawn care or general cleaning services. Read their ratings and customer reviews, paying close attention to any reviews that include photos for evidence of their workmanship. 

Next, check to see if the pros you’re considering have the proper credentials (licenses, certifications, insurance, etc.) in your state. Your cleaner should be insured against all work-related injuries and damage. 

The final step is to compare quotes and estimates from the pros you’ve selected.

Gutter installation may cost anywhere from $700 to $2,500, depending on the materials you choose and the cost of labor in your area. On average, homeowners should expect to pay around $991 for new gutters. But to find out how much it will cost to install (or replace) gutters on your home, get free cost estimates from the best gutter professionals near you.

PVC, vinyl and aluminum are cheaper options, while steel and copper are more expensive, but will also last longer. Your price will also vary by the size and slope of your roof, the number of stories of your home, and the climate and labor costs in your area.

To learn more about gutter installation prices, read “How much does gutter installation cost?” 

You may or may not need a permit. It depends on your location. In some cities, you may need a permit if you reside in a historic district or if the gutter installation project impacts the right of way. 

Check with your local public works office, permitting center or government office to see the requirements in your area. You can even contact gutter installation pros near you and ask if they know what the permit requirements are in your city.

It’s almost always worth the money to hire a professional to clean your gutters, especially if you’re unable to clean your gutters yourself. 

Because your gutters see a lot of debris and abuse from Mother Nature, it’s essential to keep up with maintenance. Gutter cleaning is not terribly expensive, but it’s risky — working at the height of a gutter is dangerous. A professional gutter cleaner not only has experience, but also has insurance to cover any injuries. A pro also has the equipment and know-how to keep gutters in top shape and remove clogs from long downspouts. 

Gutter cleaning and maintenance is an important part of keeping up a home. Not only are clogged gutters unsightly, they can also lead to water damage in the house’s walls and roof. The best way to prevent that is to clean your gutters at least twice a year — experts recommend making it part of your spring cleaning and fall landscaping schedules. In the fall, trees lose their leaves and, in the spring, release seedpods and flower petals, all of which tend to end up in rain gutters. It’s a good idea to also have a professional gutter cleaner clear out your downspouts, too; clogged downspouts can make gutters backup and overflow.

Professional gutter cleaning and maintenance should be done once or twice a year to remove debris and check for damage to the roof and gutter. The national average cost for rain gutter cleaners ranges from $100 to $130. A number of factors affect the costs, including the combined length of the gutters, the size of the house, the location of the gutters, and any risks posed to the professional cleaner. Some companies based their cost estimates on the linear square footage of the gutters; for example, 200 linear square feet of gutters on a standard, single-story ranch-style home costs an average of $125 to clean. The cost goes up for second- and third-story gutters and those in hard-to-reach places, like a roof with an unusually steep pitch. Expect to pay at least $100 more than standard prices if cleaning your home’s gutters requires extra safety precautions. Because spring and fall are gutter cleaners’ busiest seasons, some gutter cleaning and maintenance companies offer discounts during summer and winter months.

If you’re looking for someone to clean the gutters on your home, there are a number of different businesses that tend to do this work.  The first is a dedicated property maintenance company, which commonly cleans gutters as part of keeping properties running smoothly. Landscaping and design companies may also offer gutter cleaning services, as well as roofers, painters, remodelers, carpenters and handymen. Lawn care services will sometimes offer gutter cleaning as part of a lawn care or leaf removal package.

Here are the best gutter cleaning services near you — contact several pros to start getting free estimates.

A professional gutter cleaning may include several services in one. And pros may utilize different gutter cleaning methods, depending on your situation.

Gutter cleaners typically set something down to catch the leaves and debris as they clean, whether it’s a bucket or a tarp set below. Then, they flush or dig out the leaves from the gutters, clean the downspouts out with a high-pressure hose, blower or pressure washer, inspect the gutters for damage and cracks, and fix any cracks using a gutter sealant.

Chat with the best gutter cleaning services near you to see what their process entails and to get a free estimate.

The majority of gutter installations take several hours or a whole day from start to finish. One factor that may cause the installation process to take longer is if you have a large or custom home. To find out how long it will take to replace your gutters, contact the best pros and ask for a free estimate.