Okay, Time for a Little Gutter Rant: Please Don’t Let Trees Grow in Your Gutters
Look, we genuinely love cleaning out gutters. It’s satisfying work—showing up, clearing out the mess, and sending water flowing freely again so your home stays protected. We’re happy to do it any time of year. But can we please have a serious conversation about the point where “a little debris” turns into an actual ecosystem?
We’ve seen it too many times: gutters so neglected that small trees—yes, actual 1-foot-tall saplings—are sprouting right out of them. Roots digging into the seams, soil packed solid, leaves and twigs layered like compost. At that stage, what started as a simple clean-out job becomes a full demolition and rebuild project just to get the gutters functional again.
And here’s the frustrating part: regular gutter cleanings don’t cost that much.
In 2026, the average professional gutter cleaning runs between $120 and $350 for most homes, often landing in the $150–$250 range for a typical single-story or two-story house (depending on size, stories, and access). That’s per visit—once or twice a year in many areas. Compare that to what happens when you wait too long:
Overflowing gutters pour water directly against your foundation → soil erosion, hydrostatic pressure, cracks, settling.
Especially if you have underground drainage tile (those buried downspout extensions or French drains carrying water away from the house), neglected gutters can clog the entire system with debris that washes down.
Once that underground line is packed with roots, sediment, or years of gunk, you’re looking at hydro jetting (high-pressure water blasting) which typically costs $350–$600 on average, and can climb to $1,000+ for severe blockages or long runs.
Worst case? The tile gets damaged beyond repair, leading to full replacement—easily thousands of dollars—plus potential foundation repairs that can run tens of thousands if water has been saturating the soil for years.
It’s not just an inconvenience. It’s a slow-motion disaster that turns a $200 seasonal service into major structural headaches.
Better Options for Peace of Mind
We’re not trying to guilt anyone—life gets busy, and gutters aren’t exactly top of mind until they overflow. But there are smart ways to avoid the nightmare:
Call us before it gets bad A routine clean-out is quick, affordable, and prevents 95% of these horror stories. If you’re not sure when the last cleaning was, or if you’ve noticed slow drainage, overflowing during rain, or plants taking root—give us a shout. We’ll handle it before it becomes a crisis.
Join our recurring gutter cleaning schedule Set it and forget it. We’ll come out on a regular basis (usually spring and fall, or once a year depending on your trees), so you never have to worry about missing a season. It’s predictable, budget-friendly, and gives you real peace of mind knowing your system is being maintained proactively.
Consider leaf guards or gutter protection systems for the long haul If you have heavy tree cover, lots of leaves/pine needles, or that underground drainage tile you want to protect, leaf guards (solid covers, micro-mesh screens, etc.) can drastically reduce how often you need cleanings—sometimes eliminating them entirely. Yes, there’s an upfront cost, but it pays for itself quickly by avoiding repeated service calls, preventing clogs in buried lines, and protecting your foundation from chronic water issues.
Bottom line: We’re more than happy to clean your gutters—no judgment, no matter how full they are. But please don’t wait until there’s literal foliage growing out of them. A quick call and a modest investment in regular maintenance (or a permanent solution like guards) saves you a ton of money, stress, and potential damage down the road.
Your home deserves better than a gutter jungle. Drop us a line—we’re here to help keep things flowing smoothly. No trees required. 😄