FAQs and Elf Queries

The frequency of cleaning will depend on the specifics of your home, obviously, but it is easy to recommend a cleaning at least once per year. That is true even if a home has gutter guards, as a blockage can allow a heavy rain to stream over the top of the gutter.

If your property has mature pine trees, or trees which overhang the roof, we recommend at least twice per year, with some clients requiring a cleaning quarterly. A higher frequency would be most common in a pine-heavy area, or with downspouts that have a hard time staying clear.

Hail and storms can certainly create a lot of debris all at once, and may be a reason to inspect the effectiveness of the gutters at the earliest opportunity.

Please also inspect the outlet of any underground drains.

The most dangerous parts of gutter cleaning are being on top of a roof, and being on a ladder.

Being on a rooftop is often More dangerous than being on a ladder for a homeowner (though this is reversed for professionals who are versed in roof safety), but this will always depend on the specifics of a home. If the pitch of your roof is steep, or being on a roof scares you, it is usually safer to move your ladder along the length of the roofline bit by bit. It is never a good idea to be on a roof if it makes you nervous at all.

The same is true for being on a ladder.

We professionals always use special equipment to ensure our safety while on a job. This specialized equipment ranges from ropes & harnesses secured to the peak, footwear suited to the specific type of roof, ladder accessories, fall protection items, and more. We take safety VERY seriously, because the consequences of a fall are never minor. Please use extreme caution.