Gutter maintenance

Gutter maintenance is cheap and the failures it prevents are not. Water that overflows repeatedly at the same spot rots fascia, soaks sheathing, and ends up against the foundation. That is a carpentry and drainage bill, not a gutter bill.

The baseline schedule is twice a year — after leaf drop and again in spring. Heavy tree cover pushes that to three or four times. Guards reduce frequency but do not remove it: This Old House's survey found 41% of guard owners still clean annually and only about 17% never clean again.

When you or your contractor are up there, do more than scoop. Confirm water runs to the outlet without pooling. Press on the fascia board behind the gutter and check for softness. Look for rust streaks, separated seams, and hangers that have pulled loose. Then look down: downspout extensions should carry water several feet from the house, and a splash block that has shifted is a common cause of a wet basement corner.

Professional cleaning runs $191-$529 per visit, with single-story homes at $145-$250. If your gutters are single-story and reachable from a stable ladder with someone footing it, DIY is reasonable. Above one story, pay someone.

How to choose

Twice a year minimum

After the leaves drop and again in spring, before heavy rain season.

Guards do not mean never

Plan on an annual check even with guards. Fine grit and pine needles still accumulate.

Inspect, do not just scoop

Pitch, fascia condition, hanger tightness and seam integrity are what the visit is really for.

Follow the water to the ground

Extensions and splash blocks matter as much as the gutter. Get discharge several feet from the foundation.

Photograph problems

Have the cleaner send photos of anything they flag. It gives you leverage when you get repair quotes.

Do not pressure-wash from a ladder

The recoil is a genuine fall hazard, and the pressure can lift shingles at the eave.