Gutter Cleaning

Why gutters matter more in Brisbane

Subtropical rainfall is intense and concentrated. A single summer thunderstorm can drop 50mm in an hour. If gutters cannot handle that volume because they are clogged, the water has to go somewhere. Best case: it overflows the front of the gutter and runs down the wall. Worst case: it backs up under the roofline and into the eaves, soffit, and ceiling space. The damage is slow at first and easy to miss (a small patch of mould in the eaves, a creeping water stain on a ceiling), but by the time it is visible inside the house, the timber underneath is usually already rotting. Six-monthly gutter clearing is the cheap insurance against this.

What we clear and how

Standard gutter clearing removes leaf litter, twigs, seed pods, dirt build-up, bird nests, and any debris that has accumulated in the gutter run. Light debris loads (suburbs without heavy canopy) we clear by hand wearing waterproof gloves and bagging as we go. Heavier loads (homes under jacarandas, gums, figs) we clear with a vacuum system that reaches into the gutter from the ground in many cases, eliminating ladder work for the bulk of the job. We follow the clear with a flush of each downpipe using a hose to confirm water moves through cleanly. Any blocked downpipes get rodded or treated until clear.

Gutter guards: what we work with

Modern aluminium mesh gutter guards (Leafstopper, GutterShield, etc.) can be cleaned by lifting the guard, clearing underneath, and replacing. Older aluminium guards are sometimes brittle and we discuss before lifting whether the guard will survive the process. Steel mesh guards we clean over the top of with a soft brush, so the mesh stays in place. Plastic guards are usually past their service life if they are showing UV degradation and we will tell you before working on them. Foam guards we generally recommend removing because they trap moisture and accelerate gutter corrosion. We are happy to quote replacement guards as a separate job through a partner contractor.

Our process, step by step

Step one: walk the property to estimate gutter length, debris load, and identify any gutter guards or specific issues. Step two: set up ladder or vacuum system based on access. Step three: clear debris run by run, bagging as we go. Step four: visually inspect each downpipe opening for blockage. Step five: flush each downpipe with a hose; any that do not drain freely get rodded. Step six: walk the result with you, confirm everything is clear, and confirm the bagged debris disposal. Step seven: send photos including the before-and-after of any heavily affected runs.

Pairing gutter clearing with a roof or house wash

Roof cleaning naturally pairs with gutter clearing. The roof rinse will move debris into the gutters, so doing them in the same visit means the gutters are empty when the wash water reaches them. House wash also benefits from clear gutters because any incidental overspray from the wash needs to drain. The most common Brisbane pairing is gutter clearing plus roof clean: full-day visit, both surfaces addressed in sequence, no second trip needed. Standalone gutter clearing is also fine, and many customers book gutter clearing alone twice a year between full roof cleans.

Pricing for gutter cleaning

Standalone gutter clearing runs $180 to $350 depending on house perimeter, single vs double storey, and debris load. Most single-storey suburban homes sit at $180 to $250. Double-storey homes run $250 to $400 because of access. Heavy-canopy properties under figs or gums can sit at the upper end of the range or higher if guard removal is required. Add-on to a roof clean drops the price to $100 to $200 because setup is shared. We quote a fixed figure including disposal of the bagged debris.

How often to book gutter cleaning

Every 6 to 12 months for most Brisbane homes. Heavy-canopy suburbs (Bulimba, Carindale, Camp Hill, Kedron) want every 6 months, with autumn and spring as the natural cadence. Open-canopy suburbs can stretch to 12 months. If you have not had the gutters checked in over a year, book now. Most Brisbane homes are due before they realise it.

What's included

• Hand or vacuum clearing depending on debris load
• Downpipe flushing on every run
• Rodding for blocked downpipes
• Gutter guard lifting and replacement (compatible types)
• Bagged debris removal, left clean
• Pairs naturally with roof cleaning
• Before-and-after photos with every job

Gutter Cleaning by suburb

Detailed gutter cleaning guidance for the suburbs we work in most often. Each page covers local housing stock, common concerns, and pricing notes specific to that area.

Frequently asked questions