Clogged Gutters: What They Cost You and How to Keep Them Clear

An inch of rain on a 1,000-square-foot roof produces about 620 gallons of water. Gutters exist to carry that water away from the house. When they clog, it spills over the edge and lands right beside the foundation, or it backs up under the roof edge and soaks the wood behind the gutter.

Neither shows up right away. The damage builds over a few seasons, and by the time a basement wall is damp or the fascia board is soft, the repair costs far more than years of cleaning would have.

What a clog can end up costing

Water spilling at the foundation also erodes flower beds, stains siding and can freeze into ice on walkways and steps. In cold climates, ice-filled gutters can make ice dams worse, although ice dams start with heat escaping through the attic. Standing water in a clogged gutter is also a breeding spot for mosquitoes in summer.

How often to clean

Twice a year suits most houses: once in late spring after trees drop seeds and flowers, once in late fall after the leaves are down. Houses under pine trees need it three or four times a year, because needles slip through gaps and mat together. Check after big storms too. If water pours over the edge in heavy rain, there’s a clog somewhere, often in the downspout elbow.

Doing it yourself, safely

Ladder falls are one of the most common causes of serious home injuries. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than half a million people a year are treated for ladder-related injuries in the US. A single-story house is a reasonable DIY job. For two stories or a steep roof, hire someone.

1. 1

   Set the ladder right 5 min

   Use an extension ladder on firm, level ground, one foot out from the wall for every four feet of height. Use a stabilizer arm so the ladder rests on the roof, not on the gutter.

2. 2

   Scoop, don't blow 1–3 hours · $10–$20

   Wear gloves and use a plastic gutter scoop. Drop debris onto a tarp below, then compost the leaves.

3. 3

   Flush the downspouts 15 min · free

   Run a garden hose into each downspout from the top. If water backs up, push a plumber’s snake up from the bottom or take the elbow apart.

4. 4

   Check the slope and seams 10 min · free

   Water should run toward the downspouts without pooling. Reseal leaking seams with gutter sealant.

5. 5

   Extend the downspouts 10 min · $10–$25 each

   Add extensions or splash blocks so water lands 4 to 6 feet from the foundation.

What a pro charges

Professional gutter cleaning typically costs $100 to $250 for a single-story house with about 150 feet of gutter and $150 to $350 for two stories. Steep roofs, heavy debris and downspout clearing add to it. Twice a year, that’s $200 to $700. Many services discount a yearly plan, and some include a quick roof check.

Gutter guards compared

Guards keep most leaves out, but no type is maintenance-free. Fine debris, seed pods and pine needles still collect on top or slip through, and most guards need a brush-off or a rinse every year or two.

At $350 to $700 a year for pro cleaning, a $3,000 micro-mesh job takes four to nine years to pay back, and you’ll still clean them now and then. Guards make the most sense on two-story houses, under pine trees, or for anyone who shouldn’t be on a ladder. On a single-story house with few trees, a scoop and two afternoons a year cost less.

Clean gutters are also the starting point for collecting rainwater. A rain barrel under a downspout fills fast, and leaves kept out of the gutter keep the barrel clean.