Compare & Save On Gutter Cleaning With Corkd
When its finally time to deal with gutter cleaning the courteous professionals at Corkd have you covered. Eventually leaves, weather and normal build up forces everyone to look for low cost gutter cleaning services. When that time arrives for you rest assured that with the Corkd Ballpark estimator you can quickly compare prices on gutter cleaning for both homes and businesses. Get started now and in a few hours your gutters will be clean as new.
You probably don't give your gutters much thought as you enter and exit your house. They become part of your home's architecture. However, neglecting to clean and maintain your gutters could lead to problems for your home and wallet. Discover how often and why you should clean your gutters, whether you should hire a professional or do it yourself, and how much professional gutter cleaning costs in this complete guide to cleaning your gutters.
How much does gutter cleaning cost?
Your final bill for gutter cleaning will depend on your home's size and the gutter system's complexity. Your quote should include the gutter cleaning itself as well as cleaning up the area around your home, bagging the debris, and hauling away the waste:
- Expect to pay between $70 and $200 if you own a 1,500-square-foot, single-story house.
- If your home is a single story and 2,000 square feet in dimension, the cost will rise to between $90 and $225.
- Second-story homes with 2,500 square feet of space will typically result in a charge between $100 and $250.
Prices will vary depending on where you live and the professional's experience and ability. Additionally, some homes have complicated roof lines, trees that overhang the house, nearby power lines, and other complications that can add to the price.
If you have a larger home, your price will increase because you'll have to pay two or more people to complete the job. You'll also pay more if you have significant blockages in your downspouts or if the company has to repair or replace any section of the gutters.
Gutter cleaning doesn't have to become arduous or stressful. The process can be mentally and physically exhausting if you try it on your own, however, so consider searching for an experienced, reputable gutter cleaning service that will complete the project quickly and inexpensively.
Why you should clean your gutters
Your gutters direct rainwater away from your roof and your home's foundation to prevent moisture problems. Over time, your gutters collect leaves, dirt, and other debris that create clogs. Failing to clean your gutters can cause some of the following problems:
- Poor water flow: Clogged gutters disrupt water as it flows through the gutter system, which means your gutters become ineffective. You might notice that water pools around your foundation, which can foster mold and other moisture issues.
- Extra weight: As your gutters fill up with material, they put more weight on your home's fascia. You might have to replace the fascia boards when they get exposed to too much moisture or when the weight begins to pry the boards away from the house.
- Unwanted growth: Leaves and other organic materials break down in your gutters and become fertilizer for plants. You might even see tiny trees growing inside your gutters if you haven't cleaned them recently.
- Pest infestation: Clogged gutters offer the perfect nests for rodents, birds, and other small creatures that need a safe place to live and care for their young. Insects also often find homes in clogged gutters.
- Roof leaks: A leaky roof can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair or replace. Clogged gutters allow more rain water to come into contact with the roof, which often leads to moisture damage and leaks.
- Wear and tear: The excess weight on clogged gutters often causes them to break down faster. Cleaning them regularly extends their lifespan, which ultimately saves you money.
Some people use gutter covers, guards, or screens to prevent debris from entering the gutters' canals. However, while these screens can stop full-size leaves and branches from entering your gutters, they can't keep out smaller particles such as pollen, seeds, dirt, and portions of leaves. Even with gutter guards or screens, you must still clean your gutters, albeit less often.
If you have holes or other gutter damage, you might want to replace your gutters. However, if your gutters stay in good condition, cleaning them can save you money and prevent problems with the rest of your house.
How often should I get them cleaned?
According to a National Center for Healthy Housing report, homeowners should clean their gutters every spring and fall. During these seasons, leaves fall from trees and pollen begins to make its presence known, both of which cause your gutters to fill up more quickly. Twice-a-year cleaning will keep the typical gutter installation sound and working.
However, gutter cleaning frequency can depend on where you live. For instance, if you live in a desert climate and you don't have any trees near your home, you might need to clean out your gutters only once every year. Conversely, homeowners who live near dense trees might have to clean their gutters every season to prevent clogs and backups.
During the winter, you might notice that ice dams have formed on your roof. These dams can cause severe moisture damage because they allow water to leak into your ceiling through the roof. If you have ice dams, remove them immediately and clean out the gutters. Unless you're a professional, hiring an expert for this job will prove prudent because working in the ice and snow can become dangerous.
Should I clean my own gutters?
You have the following two options when you need to clean your gutters:
- DIY: The do-it-yourself option works well for handy homeowners who like to save money and enjoy working outdoors.
- Professional: You might hire a pro if you're not comfortable working on ladders, if you lack upper body strength, or if you don't have the time and energy to devote to this project.
Many people clean their own gutters because, with enough experience and knowledge, a homeowner can complete the task in fewer than three hours. However, cleaning your gutters incorrectly could result in worse damage to your home or damage the gutters themselves.
Gutter Cleaning Tools
You'll need a ladder to clean your gutters unless you can climb onto your roof and work from that vantage point. You can also choose from several different types of gutter cleaning tools. Experiment with different options to see which ones you prefer:
- Wet-dry vacuum: You can use your wet-dry vacuum's hose to either blow the leaves and debris out of your gutters or to suck the material into the vacuum's canister.
- Trowel: This simple garden tool allows you to scoop out your gutters and toss material onto the ground below for cleanup later.
- Water hose: You can also spray leaves and other materials out of your gutters with a garden hose. This method often proves to be a time-consuming chore because you have to continually redirect the water and apply enough force to remove even the heaviest debris.
- Pole device: Several pole-mounted devices exist on the market to help you clean your gutters. Some have tongs attached to the end so you can manually pick up leaves and dirt while you're on the ground. Others feature broom-like bristles. Unfortunately, with these methods, you can't see inside the gutters to know whether you're completing the job successfully.
- Hands: Cover your hands with gardening or work gloves and manually clean out your gutters. This strategy might take more time and prove messier than the others.
Your goal is to remove all debris from your gutters after you clean them. Whether you're working with a tool from the ground, standing on a ladder, or perching on your roof, you'll work systematically around your home until you've addressed every gutter.
You can also use a garden hose to spray a heavy stream through each downspout. You'll remove any clogs that might lurk beyond your line of sight.
Questions to ask a professional gutter cleaning company
If you're not comfortable cleaning your own gutters, plan to hire a professional. An expert can clean your gutters faster and more efficiently, and you don't have to worry about accidentally damaging your home because you lack experience. Before you hire a professional, however, prepare a list of questions to ask each candidate, such as the following:
- How much experience do you have? More experience can mean better results.
- Are you bonded and insured? Insurance and bonding protect you against contractor mistakes and home damage.
- What approach do you take to gutter cleaning? Ask about the equipment used and the process for carrying out the project.
- How much do you charge? Ask for a firm quote based on your home's square footage and the length of your gutter system.
- Will you offer a written estimate or quote? Never rely on a verbal estimate. Instead, ask for a formal quote on paper.
- How soon can you complete the project? Find out when the contractor can fit you into the schedule and how long the project will take.
- Can I call a few of your previous customers to ask about their experiences? Getting references can help you feel more comfortable with the professional's qualifications.
The answers to these questions will help you choose the right company.