Home gutter care for seasonal homeowners

Evergreens + fall storms are beautiful—and brutal on gutters. Fir and cedar needles, bigleaf maple leaves, and “atmospheric river” downpours can clog systems fast. When you’re out of town, that overflow has nowhere to go but into your roof, walls, and foundation.

why gutter cleaning matters when you’re away

• roof & attic damage: debris creates dams; water backs up under shingles and into soffits/fascia, leading to rot and stains.

• foundation stress: overflowing gutters dump water at the perimeter; saturated soil can crack foundations and cause sticky doors or uneven floors.

• moss, mildew, algae: our cool, damp climate accelerates growth that shortens roof life and hurts curb appeal.

• pests: standing water attracts mosquitoes; leaf piles invite birds, squirrels, and rodents.

your Pacific NW gutter calendar

• early–mid fall (Oct–Nov): schedule the main clean after leaf drop and the first windstorm.

• mid–late winter: spot-check after freeze–thaw cycles or major storms; iced-down downspouts can back up water.

• late spring (May–June): quick sweep for maple “helicopters,” fir cones, and pollen mats.

• under tall firs/cedars? plan more frequent touch-ups year-round; needles slip through small openings and build up quickly.

if you’re in town: diy vs. hiring a pro

• pros (typ. $150–$350) handle roof pitch, debris disposal, and spot issues (loose hangers, bad pitch, failing downspouts) before they snowball.

• diy is fine if you’re ladder-comfortable: heavy gloves, gutter scoop, hose (or wand), ladder stabilizer, eye protection.

if you’re out of town: set it and forget it

• book a fall cleaning plus a mid-winter check before you leave.

• add post-storm checks to catch clogs early.

• ask for before/after photos and confirmation that downspouts are flushed and runs are properly pitched.

• if your downspouts tie into underground drains (“tightlines”), confirm the pop-up emitter is discharging away from the foundation.

ladder safety (for anyone doing their own work)

• use the 4:1 rule (for every 4 ft up, place the base 1 ft out).

• keep three points of contact; never stand on the top two rungs.

• avoid reaching—climb down and move the ladder.

• use a buddy system to steady and spot.

gutter guards in the PNW: helpful, not magic

Mesh and helmet-style covers reduce debris, but fir/cedar needles and pollen still accumulate. You’ll still need periodic cleaning—just less often. Cheap snap-in screens often clog at the lip and can be harder to clear than open gutters.

a 5-minute health check in heavy rain

• is water sheeting over any section? That’s a clog or pitch issue.

• are downspouts flowing freely? Check pop-ups/tightlines.

• do splash blocks/extensions carry water 5–10 ft away from the foundation?

how our home watch helps seasonal owners

Seattle Area HomeWatch can coordinate your gutter care while you’re away:

• schedule fall and mid-winter cleanings with vetted vendors

• perform post-storm exterior checks and photo-document any issues

• verify downspout flow and look for pooling or splash-over

• flag concerns early and coordinate next steps with your roofer or gutter company

Headed south for the season? We’ll keep an eye on the details so your home stays dry and damage-free. Book a customized plan with pre-scheduled gutter checks before the next storm cycle.