Good points on the ladder safety—I've seen way too many avoidable injuries during storm inspections. One thing I'd add from experience: timing your gutter cleaning right before storm season can really save headaches later. Last year, I delayed it and ended up dealing with a client's flooded basement because clogged gutters overflowed during heavy rains. Lesson learned the hard way... now I always recommend a quick check before the rainy months hit.
- Good tip on timing, but honestly, doing it right before storm season sounds like peak pricing for gutter services.
- I usually try to get mine done a bit earlier to save some cash—haven't had issues yet, but your basement story makes me reconsider...
- Anyone found a sweet spot between cost and timing?
From my experience, the ideal timing tends to be late spring or early summer—right after the heavy pollen and tree debris have settled but before the storm season rush kicks in. Prices are usually more reasonable then, and you're still ahead of any major weather events. Waiting too long can lead to clogged gutters during sudden storms, which I've seen cause some costly water damage repairs... Better safe than sorry, even if it means spending a bit earlier.
I've been wondering about this too, since it's my first year dealing with gutters. Late spring makes sense, but what about fall? Wouldn't leaves piling up then also cause issues...? Curious how others handle that.
Late spring and fall are common, yeah, but honestly, if you're dealing with leaves piling up regularly, twice a year might not cut it. A few thoughts:
- Late spring cleaning is good for clearing out pollen, seeds, and debris from winter storms.
- Fall cleaning is definitely important, but timing matters—too early and you'll just have to do it again after the last leaves drop.
- Consider gutter guards or screens. They're not perfect (still gotta check occasionally), but they drastically reduce buildup.
- Also, think about your local tree types. Pine needles, for example, can clog gutters faster than broad leaves and might require more frequent checks.
Personally, I've found that investing in gutter protection saves a ton of hassle down the line. It's not foolproof, but it beats climbing ladders every couple months...
