Portland Gutter Cleaning Services Portland, OR

After working for eight years selling metal to gutter supply companies, Andy Bridge decided to make the switch to gutter installation. He started his company, Great Northwest Gutters, seven years ago. "We offer all necessary residential gutter services," Bridge says. "We're focused on service."

What are some of the most common problems you see?
"Gutters that have lived their full life and are beginning to rust out. That's the major problem that usually requires complete gutter and downspout replacement. We also get calls from people who have had problems with one gutter, and sometimes we might be able to replace one section.

"Another problem we see is gutters that aren't graded or sloped correctly, so water pools in them. Sometimes we have to replace those, and sometimes we can regrade them.

"Sometimes people have gutters that are too small for the roof area to drain, and sometimes they have gutters or downspouts that are clogged with debris. If it's an isolated problem, it can usually be repaired. Sometimes that's more economical over time than a replacement.

"We don't repair plastic gutters or replace them with [new] plastic gutters. Plastic gutters typically don't last as long and aren't as functional. They're more something you'll throw on a shed or patio cover - more of a temporary thing. We'll replace them with seamless gutters.

"In the Pacific Northwest, we use seamless gutters, primarily made of steel or aluminum. The gutters and downspouts we install are prepainted, and we have 25 standard colors.

"An isolated repair may cost a couple hundred dollars, and generally speaking, the average replacement would probably run $700 and up - maybe $700 to $1,500 for an average-sized home."

Should you have gutters inspected regularly?
"You should definitely have them cleaned annually, and you can identify issues [then] if there are any. If you live in a densely treed area where they're constantly filling up, you should probably check them more often. Don't forget about your downspouts.

"You could have foundation damage [if you don't do regular inspections], or water could find its way into the basement. You could have water damage to the fascia boards, soffits or roof tresses, or you can see an intrusion, such as dry rot or mold, into the siding. If you have standing water in certain areas of the gutters, you may have mosquitoes."

Do you recommend gutter covers?

"There are different covers and screens out there. We don't do covers - it's just not our preference. We recommend a screen called the Sentinel Gutter Debris Shield. It has finer mesh that prevents smaller debris from getting in. It really does a good job, and there's little maintenance required."

Do you have a guarantee?
"We have a two-year guarantee on installation and labor, and a 25-year guarantee on materials. We also provide free estimates."