Gutter cleaning for Western Washington homes
We clean your gutters by hand, flush the downspouts, haul away the debris, and tell you what we found.
What our customers say.
Most homes in Snohomish, King and Skagit Counties need their gutters cleaned twice a year: once in late fall after the leaves drop, and once in spring. Homes under heavy Douglas fir or cedar usually need a third cleaning in late summer, when the most needles fall. In winter it rains 17 to 22 days a month in western Washington (Western Regional Climate Center). A clogged gutter never gets the chance to dry out and clear on its own.
What does a gutter cleaning include?
- Gutters cleaned by hand, not blown out from the ground. Blowing scatters wet needles instead of removing them, and pushes debris into the downspouts.
- Downspouts flushed and checked all the way through, including where they enter underground drains.
- Debris hauled away, not left in a pile in your flower beds.
- A condition report. We tell you what we saw, like loose hangers, leaky joints, rot starting in the fascia (the board your gutters attach to), or moss on the roof. No charge, no obligation.
Why do gutters clog faster in Western Washington?
Two things make Western Washington harder on gutters than most of the country. First, fir and cedar needles are fine and knit together. They form a thick mat that water runs over instead of through. A gutter can look almost empty and still not drain. Second, steady light rain keeps everything damp. Moss thrives, and wet needles rot into a heavy sludge that clogs the downspout bends.
What happens if you leave gutters uncleaned?
A clogged gutter overflows at the back as often as the front. That sends water straight into the fascia and the underside of your roof edge, and a cleaning problem becomes a wood-rot problem. Standing water is also heavy. Over one winter, it can pull nails right out of the board. Water pouring down at the foundation causes a different problem: damp crawl spaces and settling.
Should you choose cleaning or gutter guards?
If you pay for two cleanings every year, it’s worth comparing the cost of guards. See what gutter cleaning cost in Snohomish County runs for a typical home, then compare the two side by side in gutter guards vs annual cleaning, including when guards pay for themselves.
Common questions
How often should I really clean my gutters?
Twice a year for most homes here, or three times under heavy fir or cedar. Once a year is usually enough if no trees hang over your roof. See our cleaning schedule guide for details.
When is the best time of year?
Late fall, once the leaves are down. November is about right. Then again in early spring, March or April, to clear what fell over winter.
Do you clean the roof as well?
No. We clean the gutters and flush the downspouts. Roof moss treatment is a separate trade, but we’ll tell you if your roof needs it.
Do you clean gutters that have guards on them?
Yes. With guards, we usually just brush off the top instead of emptying the gutter. That’s quicker and costs less.
Where we work
Get a free written estimate
Call us or send your address. We will get back to you within 24 hours on business days to book a time to look at your gutters.