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Guttering and Rainwater Pipe specialists - what you need to know

What does gutter cleaning involve?

Gutters are designed to catch rainwater from your roof and safely drain it away, but over time they can become clogged with things like moss, dirt, twigs, or leaves. Once that happens, the blocked water can damage your gutters, and leak over the side to cause damage to your home.

Gutter cleaning is a straightforward job, and for most homes it only needs to be done once a year. A gutter specialist will clear all the debris that builds up, while making sure the gutters are in good working order. You can also get them to wash the gutters, along with any fascias or boards around them, so they look as good as new.

A gutter specialist will be used to working at height, and will have the relevant equipment and training to do so.

The services you can get from a gutter cleaner:

• Gutter cleaning and unblocking.
• Gutter repair and replacement.
• Cleaning of downpipes.
• Full wash of gutters, including undersides, fascias, and boards.
• Gutter lining (a waterproof membrane for gutters and brickwork).

How much does gutter cleaning cost?

For around 15 metres of guttering, on a typical semi-detached house, it’ll cost from £95-£150, depending on your location. If your home is bigger, then understandably the costs will increase. They might also increase if for any reason the guttering is difficult to acess.

What damage can water do to my home?

Constant water leaks from guttering can damage the rendering and brickwork, which in turn can cause damp issues inside the house. This is costly to repair, compared to the relatively cheap cost of maintaining your gutters.

Do I need scaffolding?

Most gutter cleaners will have the correct ladders to reach up to as many as 6 floors. It’s also possible to use telescopic poles, cameras and jet washers to clean gutters from ground level. You won’t need any scaffolding to be put up.

How long does it take?

Again this depends on the size of the house and how much guttering there is, but in general it’s a quick job that can be done in a couple of hours.

When’s the best time to do it?

It’s best to get your gutters cleaned once autumn has finished stripping the leaves from trees.

The qualifications your gutter cleaner needs

All gutter cleaners should be following the government’s health and safety advice about working at height.

Planning permission for gutter cleaning

In most cases you don’t need planning permission. If you’re working on fascias of a listed building then you should contact your local planning authority.

Insurance for gutter cleaning

There’s no legal requirement for gutter cleaners to have insurance specific to their trade, but all tradespeople should have public liability insurance to cover themselves against any property damage or personal injury claims.

Questions you should ask your gutter cleaner

• How long will it take?
• How do you clean the gutters? Using ladders, or using telescopic poles?
• If ladders, are you trained to work at height?
• Do you have public liability insurance?