The baseline: twice a year
For most homes in Dixon, Sterling, Rock Falls, and the surrounding Sauk Valley, a spring cleaning plus a late fall cleaning is the right rhythm.
Spring cleaning (April to early June)
Winter drops maple seeds, small twigs, and shingle grit into gutters. Spring storms then wash it into a wet mat that blocks downspouts right when northern Illinois gets its heaviest rain. A spring cleaning clears that out before storm season peaks.
Fall cleaning (late October to early December)
Sauk Valley leaves come down in waves through November. A fall cleaning after most leaves have dropped, but before the first hard freeze, is the single most important service of the year. It's what stops ice dams.
When to clean more often
- Heavy tree cover: mature oaks, maples, cottonwoods, or pines directly over the roof
- Pine needles nearby: needles slip through most gutter guards and clog fast
- Nearby construction or reroofing: shingle grit and dust piles up quickly
- History of ice dams or basement seepage: once you've had one, you want to stay ahead of it
Signs your gutters need cleaning right now
- Water spilling over the front of the gutter during rain
- Downspouts that trickle or don't flow at all
- Streaks or stains down the fascia behind the gutter
- Sagging sections, or the gutter pulling away from the house
- Plants growing out of the gutter
- Water pooling by the foundation after a storm
- Ice dams or long icicles hanging from the gutter edge in winter
Illinois winter and ice dams
Clogged gutters are the number one cause of ice dams. Water can't drain, freezes at the eave, backs up under the shingles, and ends up inside the house. If you do only one thing for your gutters this year, do a late fall cleaning.
Set it and forget it
Most homeowners do best on a scheduled spring and fall plan. See our seasonal plans or request a free quote.