Gutter cleaning
Gutter cleaning in Atlanta for homes under heavy tree cover
Under Atlanta's trees, gutters fill fast and overflow in the first heavy storm. We clean them by hand, flush every downspout, and look at the roof edge while we are on the ladder.
- Calls answered 24/7
- Cleaned by hand
- Downspouts flushed
Quick answer
Gutter cleaning in Atlanta means scooping out pine straw, leaves, seed pods and shingle grit by hand, bagging the debris, flushing each downspout with water and checking that the water actually leaves the house. Most homes under trees need it at least twice a year, after the spring pollen and seed drop and after the fall leaf drop. We also note any loose hangers, leaks or roof edge problems we find.
The work
Why clogged gutters cause roof and foundation problems
A clogged gutter does not just overflow. Water backs up behind the fascia, soaks the roof edge and the soffit, and spills straight down along the foundation, which is where most basement and crawl space water comes from. Packed gutters also hold wet debris against the drip edge, and the weight pulls hangers loose.
Regular cleaning is cheap compared with replacing rotted fascia or chasing a wet basement, and on most homes it is the single best thing you can do for the roof edge.
Updated September 2026
What is included
What a gutter cleaning includes
- Debris removed by hand. Pine straw, leaves and seed pods bagged.
- Shingle grit cleared. Granules scooped from the troughs.
- Downspouts flushed. Each one run with water to confirm flow.
- Outlets checked. Elbows and extensions cleared.
- Hangers checked. Loose fasteners noted or tightened.
- Roof edge looked at. Drip edge, fascia and shingles at the eave.
- Cleanup. Debris bagged and hauled, not left on the lawn.
One-time gutter cleanouts
A one-time cleanout is the right call if the gutters have not been touched in a while, before a home sale, or after a storm has filled them with leaves and twigs. We clean every run by hand rather than blowing debris onto the roof or the yard, bag it, and haul it away. Then we flush each downspout and watch the water exit, because a gutter that looks clean can still drain into a downspout that is packed solid at the elbow. If we find a leak or a sag, we show you before doing anything about it.
Seasonal cleaning plans
For homes under heavy tree cover, a seasonal plan keeps the gutters from ever reaching the point of overflowing. We schedule a cleaning after the spring drop and another after the fall leaves come down, with a third visit for homes under big pines or oaks. Each visit includes the same work as a full cleanout, plus a note on how the gutters and roof edge are holding up, so small problems like a loose hanger or a lifted shingle at the eave are caught early.
Downspout flushing and outlet checks
The downspout is where most clogs actually stop the water. Seed pods, roof granules and wet leaves pack into the elbows and the outlet, and water then backs up and spills over the gutter even when the trough looks clean. We flush every downspout, clear the elbows, and check that the water exits away from the house rather than pooling at the foundation. If an outlet drains into the ground, we test that the buried line is flowing too, and tell you if it has crushed or filled with silt.
Atlanta's canopy and your gutters
The City of Atlanta keeps tree canopy over about 46.5 percent of its land and has set a goal of 50 percent, which is good for shade and bad for gutters. Pine straw, oak tassels, seed pods and leaves fill troughs from spring through late fall, and under that much canopy a gutter that was clean in April can be full again by midsummer.
Timeline
How often to clean gutters in Atlanta
Under pines and hardwoods, plan on at least twice a year: once in late spring after the pollen, oak tassels and seed pods come down, and once in late fall after the leaves drop. Homes under heavy pine cover or directly under a large oak often need a third cleaning. If gutters overflow in a normal rain, they are already overdue.
How it runs
How a gutter cleaning visit runs
- 1
Booked by phone
Size of the house and tree cover noted.
- 2
Set up safely
Ladders placed with standoffs at the eave.
- 3
Clean by hand
Debris scooped and bagged run by run.
- 4
Flush downspouts
Water run through every outlet.
- 5
Check the edge
Hangers, fascia and eave shingles looked at.
- 6
Report and haul
Notes on what we found, debris removed.
Cost
What gutter cleaning costs depends on
Gutter cleaning is priced by the size and height of the job and how full the gutters are.
- Linear footage
Total length of gutter runs.
- Stories
Second-story runs need taller ladders.
- Roof pitch
Steep roofs need more rigging.
- How full they are
Packed gutters take longer to clear.
- Downspouts
Number of downspouts flushed.
- Guards
Guards are lifted and reset where needed.
FAQ
Gutter cleaning questions
At least twice a year under trees, after the spring drop and after the fall leaves. Heavy pine or oak cover can call for a third cleaning.
No. We clean by hand and bag the debris, so it does not end up on your roof, your windows or your lawn.
Yes. We lift and reset guards where needed and clean the guards themselves, which still collect pollen and debris.
Yes. We note loose hangers, leaks, sags and fascia damage and show you before any repair is done.
Yes. We use the right ladders and standoffs so the ladder does not rest on the gutter itself.
Yes, if the gutters are overflowing now. Overflow damages fascia and foundations regardless of the roof's age.
Related
Gutter and roof edge work
Gutters full again?
Call to book a cleaning. A roofer answers any hour and gets you on the schedule.