Why Gutter Cleaning Matters for Baltimore Homes

Gutters don't get much attention until they overflow. In Baltimore City and Baltimore County, between the big old trees, the spring storms, and the fall leaves, they fill up faster than most people expect. When they clog, the water still has to go somewhere, and it usually goes somewhere you don't want it.

What fills up gutters around here

A lot of what we pull out of gutters is the same every year:

• Oak and maple leaves, especially in older neighborhoods like Towson, Lutherville, and Parkville
• Maple seed pods and pine needles that pack down into a wet mat
• Shingle granules washing off an aging roof
• Small branches and twigs after a windstorm
• Dirt and moss that end up growing small plants in the gutter

On rowhomes, gutters are often short runs that feed one downspout. One clog at the outlet and the whole run backs up. Out in the county, long runs on two-story homes and ranchers can sag in the middle and hold water even when they look clean from the yard.

What happens when gutters overflow

When water can't get to the downspout, it spills over the front edge or backs up behind the gutter. That's where the damage starts:

• Fascia and roof edge. Water soaks the fascia board and the wood at the edge of the roof deck. Over time that wood goes soft. You can read more about that on our soffit and fascia repair page.
• Siding and trim. You'll see streaks, peeling paint, or rot under the spill point.
• Basements and window wells. Water dumping at the foundation is one of the most common reasons for a wet basement. One Towson homeowner told us that after the gutters were cleared, the water in the basement stopped. That's usually the pattern: fix the path the water is taking.
• Winter ice. Full gutters freeze solid, and ice can back up under the first row of shingles.

What we do when we clean gutters

When we clean gutters, it's more than scooping leaves:

• Clear the gutters by hand
• Flush the downspouts when we think there's a clog, and make sure water actually flows out the bottom
• Check for leaking joints, loose brackets, and gutters that have lost their pitch
• Look at the roof edge and fascia while we're up there and take pictures if something's off

If a section is sagging or a seam is leaking, we can rehang it or reseal it. We'd rather fix what's there than replace gutters that still have life in them. Our gutter cleaning and maintenance page has more on that.

A straight answer on gutter guards

Gutter guards cut down on big leaves, but many still clog, and some make the gutter harder to clean when they do. If you already have guards and want them cleaned or taken off, we can do that.

How often to clean them

Most homes do well with a cleaning in the spring and another in late fall after the leaves are down. If you've got big trees right over the roof, you may need it more often. A few things you can check from the ground:

• Water pouring over the front of the gutter during a storm
• Plants growing out of the gutter
• Gutters pulling away from the house or sagging
• Downspouts that don't drip after rain

Our seasonal roof maintenance checklist lays out what to look at each time of year.

If you're not sure what you're looking at, text your address and a few pictures to 443-900-4815 or give us a call. I'm licensed and insured, MHIC #154344.