Gutter Clearing
Clearing the gutters of moss, leafs and debris makes them more functional and reduces the risk of blocked drains. If your gutters are overflowing this can cause water damage to both your walls and footings with both damp and subsidence.
There is no size fits all with frequency, every property is different but those surrounded by trees with falling leaves and twigs, shaded areas where moss can grow may require it twice a year (spring and autumn). However some properties that are less exposed to these elements will most likely be fine having it done once a year.
With the use of a gopro camera attached to the end of the pole fed vacuum, we have eyes inside the gutter as we clean so we can see the gutters are clear as we go along, as well as taking plenty of photos which are provided afterwards (Sample Photos Here). We find this useful for customers both as reassurance that the job has been done, but also to help making any decisions with regards to frequency of maintenance.
With the use of a specialist lightweight carbon pole vacuum it allows us to reach up to 3 stories in height and over obstacles such as conservatories and extensions that otherwise wouldn't be possible to access by ladder, or walking onto roofs which can lead to broken roof tiles and other issues.
We have various end tools but notably we have a long end piece that allows us to reach into the downpipe usually clearing any blockages upto the first bend.
We can also offer small repairs on guttering where possible, such as replacing leaking joints etc, should you know of any issues prior we can often bring parts with us often reducing the cost and time resolving the issue. Please view our Small Gutter Repairs page.
Often we can provide quotes online with the use of google earth and its measuring tool. We have found this tool to be reasonably accurate and by reducing the need for site visits on every quote allows us to send quotes quickly and more competitive, however where this isn't possible we will come out to visit and survey.
Once you've received a quote if you wanted to proceed we would arrange a date to suit and generally the only thing we require from the customer is the use of a socket and access around the property.
Boost Your Knowledge with Our FAQs
At H2K Exterior Cleaning, we understand that you may have questions about our services, and that’s why we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions for gutter clearing to help guide you with the answers you need to make informed decisions about your exterior cleaning needs.
What's the difference between 'gutter clearing' and 'gutter cleaning'?
At H2K for clarity we prefer to use the term 'gutter clearing' when talking about clearing out the debris from inside your guttering. It's quite common for both customers and other businesses to refer to this service as 'gutter cleaning' however this can be confusing and misleading for some new to these services since the term 'cleaning' does somewhat suggest cleaning the external elements however this is a separate service that H2K and the majority often refer to as 'UPVC Fascia, Soffit, Gutter-face & Downspout Cleaning' By using the term 'gutter clearing' it provides clarity on what each service provides and what's to be expected.
Can a gutter vacuum clear as well as by hand?
Yes even better. The gutter vacuum is capable of sucking up large bits of moss debris as well as all the sludge etc. Large grass rooted sections can often be lifted out in clumps under suction and brought to the ground. Rarely do ladders need to come out but we carry them for these occasions for up to 2 stories. We find the vacuum leaves a better finish and causes less mess and avoids the need for resting ladders up multiple times unnecessarily against your property surfaces as well as reducing the risk of falls. When clearing gutters by hand the tools are designed to pull the debris to the ladder point, the problem with this is sludge and debris can spill onto and over the face of the gutters and onto the floor causing a lot of mess, whereas the vacuum removes the waste as you work along the gutter avoiding this issue. The other problem with clearing by hand is removing the debris with your hands can often leave behind alot of sludge which can stop the movement of debris to the outlet allowing them to potentially build up faster than they may have otherwise.
Does gutter clearing include unblocking Downpipes?
The majority of the time Yes. On the outlets we use a long end tool for the vacuum which reaches to the first bend which clears the majority of blockages. If the bottom of the downpipe is above ground we can usually here if it's all clear from the vacuum noise at the bottom of the pipe. We also have a water fed pole with an agitator spike hose attachment which we use to run water through the outlet to test if needed as well as break up and clear outlets that may have long screws blocking the long end tool. Past the first bend and especially the vertical section it's quite rare for a blockage, however if its a quick simple job with no parts we would include this as part of the gutter clearing. Brittle UPVC, cast iron downpipes, glued/rusted fixings would likely incur costs to resolve the issue, however on these rare occasions we would make you aware of the problem, explain and provide a quote where necessary.
Do you arrange a fixed date?
Yes, we provide availability for a date and time to suit, once booked you will receive confirmation. On the very rare occasion this may need to be moved (frozen gutters in winter, illness etc) you would be contacted at the earliest point to rearrange as we value our customers time and understand communication is important.
Do I need to be in?
As long as there is access around the exterior of the property and access to an outdoor plug then there is no requirement to be in.
Any Questions?
If you have any questions about gutter clearing or any of our other exterior cleaning services please feel welcome to get in touch, we are always happy to hear from you.