If you have never had your gutters professionally cleaned before, you might be wondering what actually happens when the crew shows up. Here is a step by step walkthrough of our process, so you know exactly what to expect from the moment we pull into your driveway to the moment we collect payment.
Step 1: Greeting and signing the contract
When our crew arrives, the first thing we do is introduce ourselves and let you know we are ready to get started. Before any work begins, we ask you to sign the service contract. It is a quick step that confirms the scope of the job, and it gives you a chance to ask questions before we head up the ladder.
Once the contract is signed, we get our equipment off the truck and move to the side of the house where we will begin.
Step 2: Setting up the ladder safely
Safety comes first on every gutter cleaning job. We position the ladder at the proper angle against the home, then tie it off so it stays secure for the entire cleaning. Tying off the ladder protects our technicians and protects your gutters from being damaged by an unstable setup. It is a small step that makes a big difference.
Step 3: Removing debris by hand
Most of what ends up in your gutters can be cleared out by hand. We work our way along each run, pulling out leaves, twigs, pine needles, shingle grit, and anything else that has built up over the season. All of it goes straight into a trash bag, not onto your roof or your lawn.
By the time we finish this step, the bulk of the debris is out of your gutters and off your property.
Step 4: Blowing out the fine debris
After the hand pass, there is still a layer of fine debris that is too small to grab. That is where the blower comes in. We use it to push out the remaining material, including the sediment that settles into the bottom of the gutter channel. This is what gets your gutters truly clean, not just cleared.
Step 5: Clearing clogged downspouts
Downspouts are where things get interesting. The most common spot for a clog is the top elbow joint, where the gutter meets the vertical section of the downspout. Debris packs in at that turn and stops water from getting through.
Here is how we test for a clog. We run the blower through the downspout from the top. If nothing comes out the bottom elbow, we know there is a blockage somewhere inside. To clear it, we physically remove the elbows, pull out the packed debris by hand, then reassemble the downspout. We finish with one more pass of the blower. When you see debris shoot out the bottom, you know the downspout is flowing freely again.
Why your gutters fill up so quickly
If you have trees near the house, especially deciduous trees that drop leaves in the fall or seed pods in the spring, your gutters are going to fill up fast. That is just the reality of having trees on your property in Colorado or Wyoming.
What you can do is add gutter protection. A good gutter guard system keeps leaves and twigs from settling into the channel in the first place, which means fewer cleanings, fewer clogs, and a lot less worry every time a windstorm rolls through. If you are tired of putting your gutters on the calendar twice a year, gutter protection is worth a conversation.
What happens when gutters stay clogged
Ignoring clogged gutters costs more than most homeowners realize. When debris blocks the flow, water overflows the edge of the gutter and runs down the side of your house. That water does not just disappear. It saturates your fascia boards, drips behind your soffit panels, and pools at the base of your foundation.
Over time, you are looking at:
- Rotted fascia boards that have to be replaced before new gutters can even be hung
- Soft, moldy soffit panels that compromise your attic ventilation
- Foundation cracks and basement moisture from water pooling at the base of the home
- Gutters that pull away from the house and eventually fall down
- Check
- Cash
- Secured credit card link, sent to you after the job is done
The cost of a professional gutter cleaning is a small fraction of what any of those repairs will run you.
Step 6: Final cleanup
We do not leave your property looking like we were there. Once the gutters and downspouts are clear, we go around the home with the blower and clean off any walkways, porches, patios, and driveways that picked up debris during the cleaning. Your property should look the same when we leave as it did when we arrived, just with clean gutters.
Step 7: Paying for the service
We make payment easy. You can choose from three options:
Whichever you prefer, we will handle it on the spot before we head out.
While we are already on the property
If you have a leak in your ceiling, a missing shingle, a stain on your soffit, or any other roofing concern, your gutter cleaning visit is a great time to bring it up. We can take a quick look while we are up there and get you on the schedule for a full inspection if needed. You can also use our online scheduler any time to book additional services.
Ready to schedule your gutter cleaning?
A professional gutter cleaning takes the guesswork out of one of the most overlooked parts of home maintenance. If you would like Excel Roofing to handle yours, give us a call at (303) 761-6400 or book through our online scheduler. We are on top of it.
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