The short version: clean your gutters once the trees have dropped most of their leaves and before the first big storms, flush every downspout, make sure water drains away from your foundation, and look for sagging or loose sections. Foothill and mountain homes surrounded by pines often need a second cleaning later in the season.
In Fresno and Clovis, fall means sycamore, oak, ash and fruit-tree leaves landing in gutters right before the winter rain. Up around Shaver Lake, Bass Lake and the foothills, pine needles and cones pile up even faster. Use this checklist to get your gutters ready, and to know which parts are better left to a pro.
Why fall is the most important gutter cleaning of the year
Valley summers are dry, so gutters can sit full of dust, leaves and debris for months without anyone noticing. The problem shows up with the first real rain. Water that can’t flow through the gutter spills over the edge, soaks fascia boards, splashes dirt onto walls and windows, and pools near the foundation. Wet debris also gets heavy, and that extra weight can pull gutters away from the house.
Cleaning in fall, after most of the leaves have come down but before the rainy season gets going, means your gutters are clear right when they matter most. Wait too long and you may be dealing with overflow in the middle of a storm.
Your fall gutter checklist
Here’s what a thorough fall clean-out should cover:
- Remove leaves, needles, seed pods and dirt from every run of gutter
- Clear debris from roof valleys, where leaves collect and slide into the gutters
- Flush each downspout to make sure water flows freely from top to bottom
- Check that downspout extensions or splash blocks send water away from the foundation
- Look for sagging, loose or pulled-away sections and loose hangers
- Watch for leaks at seams, corners and end caps
- Note any rust, holes or overflow stains on the fascia and walls
- Bag and haul away the debris so it doesn’t end up back in the yard or storm drain
Valley homes
Homes on the Valley floor mostly deal with broadleaf trees, palm debris, dust and grass clippings kicked up by mowers and leaf blowers. Mature street trees in older Fresno and Clovis neighborhoods can fill gutters surprisingly fast. Dust that settles in gutters over the summer turns into a muddy sludge with the first rain, which can slow drainage even when there aren’t many leaves.
Foothill and mountain homes
Cabins and homes around Shaver Lake, Bass Lake and other foothill and mountain areas face a different challenge. Pine needles are small and light, so they slip past many gutter guards and mat together into a dense layer. Snow and ice make blocked gutters an even bigger concern, since trapped water can freeze and back up. If you have a mountain or vacation home, plan a fall clean-out before the snow, and consider a follow-up after big storms or in spring.
What you can safely check from the ground
You don’t need a ladder to learn a lot about your gutters. Take a walk around the house during or right after a steady rain and look for:
- Water spilling over the front edge of a gutter instead of going down the downspout
- Downspouts that barely drip, or don’t flow at all, during a steady rain
- Grass or weeds sprouting from the gutter, a sure sign it’s packed with soil
- Gutters that look wavy or bowed when you sight down the roofline
- Puddles or erosion near the foundation, or dirt splashed onto stucco and windows
If you spot any of these, it’s time for a cleaning, even if you just had one earlier in the year. It also helps to glance at the roofline after a windy day. Gusty fall winds can drop a surprising amount of leaves and twigs in a single afternoon, and a gutter that was clear last week may already be filling up again.
After the gutters are cleaned, make sure each downspout empties a few feet away from the house onto a splash block or extension. A clean gutter won’t do much good if the water just dumps right next to your foundation.
Why we don’t recommend DIY gutter cleaning on a ladder
Gutter cleaning looks simple, but it’s one of the most common ways homeowners get hurt. Ladders on uneven ground, soft lawns, wet leaves and the urge to reach just a little farther are a risky mix, and two-story homes or steep mountain lots make it even riskier. Walking on the roof to reach gutters is more dangerous still, and it can crack tiles or damage shingles along the way.
If a job requires a ladder or getting on the roof, it’s worth calling a licensed and insured crew. Professionals have the right equipment, know how to work around tile and shingle roofs, and can spot problems like loose hangers or damaged sections while they’re up there.
How often should you clean your gutters?
Most homes need a gutter cleaning at least once a year, and fall is the best time to do it. Homes with lots of trees overhead, especially pines, often need it twice a year, once in fall and again in late winter or spring. If you notice overflow during storms, plants growing in the gutters or birds nesting along the roofline, don’t wait for your usual schedule.
Gutter cleaning also pairs nicely with other fall maintenance. If you have solar panels, clearing leaves and dust off the panels at the same time makes sense, and a soft wash roof cleaning can remove dark streaks before winter sets in. Booking everything in one visit means one crew, one appointment and a home that’s ready for the wet months ahead.
Need help? Call Ducky’s
Ducky’s Exterior Cleaning cleans gutters by hand, flushes the downspouts, and bags and hauls away the debris, so you can stay safely on the ground. We serve Fresno, Clovis and the Central Valley, plus foothill and lake areas like Shaver Lake and Bass Lake. Fall fills up fast, so call (559) 492-0155 for a free estimate. We’re licensed and insured, open 7 days a week from 5am to 10pm, and every job is backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee.