If you book somebody to clean your gutters, what are you actually paying them to do?
It sounds like a straightforward question, but the phrase gutter cleaning can mean slightly different things.
Some homeowners are primarily concerned about the leaves, moss and other debris sitting inside their gutters.
Others are looking at dirty guttering from ground level and want the outside cleaned along with the fascias and soffits.
Those are different jobs.
At PurePort, we think it is important that customers understand what they are asking for and what is included in their quote.
What is the main purpose of gutter cleaning?
The functional purpose of your guttering is to collect rainwater from the roof and direct it away from the property.
For that to happen properly, water needs to be able to move through the guttering.
Leaves, moss, twigs and other material can gradually collect inside.
If enough builds up, water may stop flowing as intended.
Professional gutter cleaning or clearing therefore focuses first on removing the material that is obstructing the gutter.
What can build up inside gutters?
You may be surprised by what can accumulate.
Common examples include:
- Leaves
- Moss from the roof
- Twigs and small pieces of vegetation
- General organic debris
- Material carried into the gutter by birds
- Dirt that has accumulated over time
- Small plants beginning to grow in established debris
A small amount of material may cause no immediate issue.
The problem is that gutters continue collecting more.
Wet organic material can also become compacted rather than simply blowing away again.
Does professional gutter cleaning include the whole house?
That depends on what has been quoted.
This is why it is useful to be clear about which sections of guttering need attention.
Some properties have straightforward guttering along the front and back.
Others have extensions, garages, conservatories or several different rooflines.
When requesting a quote, it is worth mentioning any sections that may not be immediately obvious.
At PurePort, we quote according to the individual property and the work required.
Is cleaning the outside of the gutters included?
Not necessarily.
There is an important difference between removing debris from inside the gutter and cleaning the exterior surface of the guttering.
You might have gutters that work perfectly but look green or dirty from ground level.
Equally, you could have gutters that look reasonably clean on the outside but are full of debris internally.
PurePort provides exterior cleaning services as well as gutter clearing, including fascia and soffit cleaning.
If appearance is the main concern, tell us when requesting your quote so that we can price the correct work.
We have also written a separate article explaining the difference between gutter clearing and gutter cleaning.
Are fascias and soffits included?
Fascias and soffits are normally a separate exterior cleaning service.
They can become dirty and develop green organic growth over time, especially on areas that receive less sunlight.
Cleaning them at the same time as other exterior work can make a noticeable difference to how the roofline looks.
If you would like the gutters cleared internally and the guttering, fascias and soffits cleaned externally, it is useful to request everything together so the quote reflects the complete job.
What should happen before the work starts?
Before gutter cleaning begins, access needs to be considered.
Every property is slightly different.
Extensions, conservatories, narrow passages, parked vehicles and garden features can all affect how different parts of the guttering are reached.
A professional cleaner should understand what is required before simply starting the job.
That is one of the reasons photographs and information about the property can be helpful when requesting a quote.
What if the gutters are heavily blocked?
The amount of debris inside a gutter can vary enormously.
If the gutters have been maintained regularly, the job may be relatively straightforward.
If they have not been touched for years, there may be much more to remove.
This does not necessarily mean something is wrong with the guttering itself.
It may simply mean it has reached the point where maintenance is overdue.
If you can already see vegetation growing from the gutter or water overflowing during rain, it is worth getting it looked at.
Does gutter cleaning include repairs?
Normally, cleaning and repairs should be thought of separately.
Removing a blockage cannot repair damaged, badly aligned or leaking guttering.
Sometimes a problem only becomes more obvious once debris has been removed.
If the issue is with the gutter itself rather than what is inside it, additional work may be needed.
Professional cleaning should not be presented as a repair if the underlying guttering is damaged.
How often should professional gutter cleaning be done?
That will depend on the property.
Homes surrounded by trees may collect leaves much faster than properties in more open areas.
Roof condition, weather and the surrounding environment can all affect how quickly material accumulates.
The important thing is not to wait until overflowing water is the first reminder that gutters exist.
What should you ask when getting a gutter cleaning quote?
The most useful question is simply:
What exactly is included?
Make sure the quote matches what you actually want.
If you want debris removed from inside the gutter, make that clear.
If you also want dirty guttering, fascias and soffits washed externally, mention those too.
That gives you a much more meaningful price than comparing two quotes that may actually describe different jobs.
Professional gutter cleaning in Portishead
PurePort provides gutter cleaning and exterior cleaning services throughout Portishead.
If you are unsure exactly what your property needs, send us some details and we can help identify the appropriate service.
Get a PurePort gutter cleaning quote
Tell us about your property and whether you are looking for the gutters to be cleared internally, exterior uPVC cleaned, or both.