What month should you clean gutters?

November, once most of the leaves have fallen, for the main clean. A second clean in March or April clears what the winter weather has washed down from the roof.

Is it too late to clean gutters in December?

No. If the gutters weren't cleared in November, December is still worth doing, especially if oaks nearby held on to their leaves late. Don't leave blocked gutters overflowing through the winter.

Why not clean gutters in October?

Many trees are still dropping leaves in October, so the gutters can fill straight back up. Waiting until November means one clean catches most of the autumn's leaves.

How often should gutters be cleaned if you have trees?

Trees close to the house usually mean two cleans a year, in November and in March or April. Trees hanging over the roof can mean three or four.

When should you clean your gutters?

You should clean your gutters in November, once most of the leaves are down, then again in March or April to clear what winter storms wash off the roof. Homes with trees overhanging the roof may need three or four cleans a year. Don't wait for the season if water is already pouring over the edge when it rains.

Get my free quote A fixed price for clearing your gutters, usually without a site visit.

Why clean your gutters in November?

November is the month for the main gutter clean because that’s when most trees finish dropping their leaves. Clear the gutters in October, while many trees are still dropping leaves, and they can fill straight back up. Wait until November and one clean catches most of the autumn’s leaves.

UK tree records show most common species are bare by the end of November, about a month after their first leaves fall. Oaks are the exception. They tend to hold on to their leaves longer, sometimes into December, so if a big oak overhangs your roof, a clean late in November or early in December catches more of them.

A November clean also means the gutters go into the winter rain empty.

Why clean them again in March or April?

A second clean in March or April deals with what winter leaves behind. Storms and heavy rain wash moss and debris down off the roof, where they settle in the gutters and pack down with any leaves that blew in after November.

Clearing them in early spring means the gutters are empty again before the spring and summer rain. If birds have started nesting in the gutters, see the section on nesting birds below.

Do trees and moss change when you should clean your gutters?

Yes. The more there is above and around your roof, the more often the gutters fill. As a rough guide:

Your house	When to clean the gutters
No trees nearby	Once a year, in November
Trees close to the house	Twice a year, in November and in March or April
Trees hanging over the roof	Three or four times a year
Moss on the roof	At least once a year, until the moss is dealt with

A guide, not a rule. Check your gutters after storms, whatever the month.

Trees that hang over the roof drop straight into the gutters, and not only in autumn, which is why those houses can need a clean between the two main ones.

Moss is the one that’s easy to miss. As moss on a roof dries out and comes loose, it washes into the gutters and blocks them, whatever the month. Clearing the gutters only helps until the next storm; a roof clean deals with the cause. Moss is cleared with a low-pressure soft wash, and every Washmates roof clean includes the gutters. You can read more about the best time of year to clean a roof.

What are the signs your gutters need cleaning now?

Some gutters can’t wait for November. Look out for these signs:

Water spilling over the edge when it rains, instead of going down the downpipe.
Plants or moss growing in the gutters.
Damp patches or green stains on the walls under the gutters.
A gutter that sags or has come away from the board behind it.
A downpipe that stays dry in heavy rain, or water pooling at its foot.

If you see any of these, book a clean whatever the month. A gutter that keeps overflowing soaks the wall below it, and the longer that goes on, the more it can cost to put right. Our guide to whether gutter cleaning is worth it compares the cost of a clean with typical repair bills.

What if birds are nesting in your gutters?

Leave the nest alone until the young have left. It’s against the law to deliberately take, damage or destroy a wild bird’s nest while it’s in use or being built.

The bird nesting season usually runs from March to September. If you’re booking a spring clean, take a look for birds going in and out of the gutters first. A November clean is usually well outside the nesting season.

How do you book a gutter clean?

Washmates clears gutters with a gutter vacuum, which empties the gutters and the downpipes, and every clean includes a post-service clean-up and digital before and after photos. Prices start from £60, VAT included, and you can see typical gutter cleaning prices by type of house in our cost guide, or read what’s included on our gutter cleaning page.

When you’re ready, tell us about your house and we’ll send you a fixed price, usually without a site visit.

Key takeaways

November is the month for the main gutter clean, once most trees have dropped their leaves.
A second clean in March or April clears the moss and debris that winter storms wash off the roof.
Trees overhanging the roof can mean three or four cleans a year; a house with no trees nearby may need just one.
Water spilling over the edge, plants in the gutters or damp patches on the walls mean a clean can't wait for the season.
If birds are nesting in a gutter, leave it until the young have left.