It’s official: the rainy season is upon us here in the Pacific Northwest. That means a couple of things: it’s time to break out the rain boots, stock up on Vitamin D, and if you haven’t had your gutters cleaned in a little while, it’s time.
But when it comes to choosing a great gutter cleaning company, it isn’t as simple as a Google search. Consider what’s important to you about a gutter cleaning company. Do you need them to be available within the same week? Are you concerned about how environmentally friendly they are? What about their pricing?
Whatever it is, make sure to take the time to get all your questions answered before moving forward.
In today’s blog post, we’ll review a few common questions everyone should ask their gutter cleaning company.
What are some warning signs that I need to have my gutters cleaned?
One of the sayings we live by here at All Around Maintenance is: “clean gutters are happy gutters.” So when gutters get dirty and clogged, they’re going to show you some signs. These usually manifest as gutters that:
- Appear clogged
- Leak
- Sag when it rains
- Have visible leaves, twigs, or pinecones sticking out of them
- Display visible water stains or mildew (indicating standing water in the gutters)
- Show plant growth
- Attract pests like mice, squirrels, or bees
Ask your gutter cleaning company about any warning signs you’ve noticed with your own gutters to get their advice.
What if I don’t clean my gutters?
Maybe the effort just doesn’t seem worth it, or the cost seems too expensive. But it’s worth remembering that your house is one of the biggest investments you’re likely to ever make — and putting off gutter cleaning can significantly damage it, costing you more down the road.
Clogged and dirty gutters can lead to:
- Water damage to your home’s siding and roof
- Pools of water left around your house, which can lead to flooding in your basement or cracks in your foundation
- Rot, mold, or mildew in and around your home
There are plenty of common mistakes that go along with DIY cleaning gutters. Our licensed and insured professionals have the skills to complete the job quickly and efficiently. Call us at (503)209-2023 to learn more or schedule your appointment today!
Are you licensed and insured? Are all of your employees covered?
Anything involving ladders and roofs can be dangerous, and gutter cleaning is no exception. If you choose to work with a company with unlicensed, uninsured contractors and they get injured on the job, this could leave you in a world of hurt and financial burden. Ensuring the gutter cleaning company you choose is licensed with the state helps protect you and anyone you hire to be up on or near your roof.
So how do you do this? Simply ask the company for their CCB#, or look for their CCB# listed on their website and marketing materials. Then, double check it with Oregon and Washington state records. You can also ask the company how much they are insured for.
What can I do to help keep my gutters clean?
This is a great question to ask during the initial estimate (if it’s in person), or after your gutters have been cleaned. A good gutter cleaning company will be able to tell you some basic tips, like keeping your trees or bushes trimmed away from the house. They’ll also be a great resource for more specific to-dos based on your house, the state of the gutters, and your location.
Should I be using gutter guards?
With all of the leaves, pinecones, and pine needles here in the Portland metro area, we get this question a lot. And while there are a lot of gutter guards on the market, some work better than others. Ask your gutter cleaning company about the pros and cons of each type, and which gutter guard they would most recommend.
A few common types of gutter guards include:
- Brush gutter guards
- Mesh gutter guards
- Foam gutter guards
- Screen gutter guards
- Surface tension gutter guards
What kind of tools/cleaning agents/equipment do you use?
If cleaning speed, neatness, or sustainability are on your list of concerns when choosing a gutter cleaning company, this is a good question to ask beforehand. Check in about what cleaning equipment and cleaning agents they use, their methods for cleaning the gutters, and how big of a mess it usually makes so you know what to expect.
Will you also inspect the roof while you’re up there?
A lot of gutter cleaning companies also offer roof inspection or roof cleaning services. While these are often an extra charge, it’s worth asking your gutter cleaning company if they can take a quick look while they’re up there. That way, they can help identify any warning signs of roof damage, or recommend when you will need your roof cleaned next.
Do you clean up afterwards?
Many people don’t realize that gutter cleaning kicks up a lot of debris. It’s not just dirt, leaves, and pine needles either — did you know people have found birds nests, plants, frisbees, and even snakes when cleaning out their gutters? It can be a huge mess, especially when left flung all over your front yard. Knowing beforehand if and how your gutter cleaning company of choice will take care of the mess (plus if they’ll charge you for cleaning it up), is important.
Do you guarantee your quote/estimate?
Everyone loves the convenience of receiving a same-day quote over the phone. But if a gutter company quotes you over the phone, are they going to change the price on you when they see it in person and realize the scope of work is different than they thought? This is worth asking about to avoid a bill larger than you were anticipating.
How often should I get my gutters cleaned?
Once you’ve had your gutters cleaned, ask the technician how often they recommend you get them cleaned in the future. Everyone’s house is going to be different, but a good rule of thumb is to get your gutters cleaned twice per year: in the fall and in the spring. If you have trees or bushes around your house that tend to leave a mess on your roof, your gutter cleaning company might recommend a cleaning cycle every 3 months or so.
Need gutter cleaning services? All Around Maintenance can help
Looking for gutter cleaning services in the Portland or Vancouver metro areas? Our team has been providing exceptional gutter cleaning services to our community for over 15 years, and we are more than happy to answer any questions you have.
Give us a call at (503)209-2023 or contact us online today!
