Gutter Guard Cleaning: Booking It the Right Way

Say what you have installed

Mesh screens, perforated covers, foam inserts and solid hoods are cleaned differently. If you do not know the product, take a clear photo of the edge of the gutter and one of the roof line. Bring up any paperwork from the original installer.

This matters because some systems come apart in sections and some are fastened down. A lift-out screen allows the trough below to be cleared directly. A fixed cover may mean only the surface can be cleaned and the outlets flushed, and we tell you that in advance.

The point is to avoid paying for a complete clean-out when only the top layer can be reached.

Check the maker's conditions before the visit

Some guard makers set conditions on how their product may be handled. If yours came with paperwork, read it, or ask the installer, before anyone lifts a panel.

When you talk to any gutter company, ask two things. Are you comfortable working on this type of guard? And will you tell me if something gets bent or loosened?

Their answers say a lot about how careful the visit will be, and you are entitled to ask us too.

If your guard is failing and you are weighing a replacement, remember that installation is not something we do, and it can overlap with roofing work, where licensing rules differ from those for cleaning.

What shapes the price

Expect covered gutters to cost more than open ones in many cases, since the work takes longer and care matters. The main factors are the length of the run, the number of stories, the guard type and how much has built up on top.

• Linear feet of gutter on the house
• Height, pitch and ease of access
• Guard type and whether it lifts out
• Amount and kind of debris on the surface

Third-party cost guides such as HomeBlue quote per-foot figures for open gutters in the Orlando area, which gives a baseline only. Our quote for your roof comes after we see the details.