Cleaning your gutter system is essential to home maintenance because it helps protect your home against water damage. Clogged gutters can lead to an unmaintained water overflow, damaging your roof, foundation, walls, and lawn. And don’t forget about pests and animals—debris-filled gutters make for optimal homes for insects, bees, wasps, and bird nests.

Gutter maintenance should be performed twice per year. Inspect and clean your gutters once in the spring before the rain starts and again in the fall to remove leaves and debris before winter.

Cleaning your gutters doesn’t require fancy tools. You typically need a leaf blower or a hose with high-pressure water to remove debris.

Sometimes, you need to hire a professional to clean your gutters. This is especially true if you have a multi-story home and cannot safely reach them.

The cost of hiring a professional to clean your gutters varies due to various factors. These can include the height and size of your house and the size and condition of your gutters. Repairs, replacements, and upgrades will add to the cost, too. According to Forbes, the average cost can range from $100 to $360. You can always ask for a free estimate when reaching out to businesses.

Sometimes, you may need to clean your gutters between your seasonal cleanings. Pay attention to the weather and watch for water flow issues in your gutters and downspouts. It is a good idea to walk around your house to inspect your gutters after stormy weather.

If you live in an area with many trees, your gutters clog more frequently than you’d like. In addition, if you live in a climate with heavy seasonal rain, your gutters may overflow more easily. If you want to spend less time maintaining your gutters in between seasonal cleanings, it may be time to consider upgrading your gutters and installing covers or splash guards.

Gutter guards and covers can be installed yourself or by a professional. Even with these upgrades in place, it is still important to clean and inspect your gutters twice a year to maintain them.

When searching for a gutter cleaning service, it's important to find a business you can trust. Ask for referrals from friends or family and look up businesses online to see their customer reviews. You can search for a business on BBB.org to see if they have any customer complaints or are BBB Accredited. BBB Accredited Businesses have promised to adhere to the BBB Standards for Trust.

For more information, read BBB’s tips on finding a gutter cleaning company and preparing your home for winter.

Find more home maintenance tips at BBB’s Home Maintenance HQ.