Seattle Gutter Repair Contractors Seattle, WA

Proper maintenance keeps gutters on for life

Angie's List asked to talk to three experts about cleaning, purchasing and maintaing gutter systems.

Seattle gutter system experts

Mitch Reed, president, Leaf Filter NW, Tukwila, Wash., leaflessinseattle.com

Steve Roskamp, owner/operator, Gutter Glove, Renton, Wash., guttergloveofwashington.com

Chuck Elvig, owner/operator, Gutter King, Mountlake Terrace, Wash., www.gutterking.com

When should I have my gutters cleaned?

Reed: Instead of having to regularly clean your gutters, we recommend buying a micro-filtration gutter guard. Here, a lot of pine and fir will stuff your gutters, causing gradual damage that will lead to expensive repairs later.

Roskamp: Late fall is when most people need to have gutters cleaned. Homes with no trees can go several years without gutter cleaning.

Elvig: The best time to clean gutters is after the leaves have fallen in December or January and again in June.

What's the cost to install a new gutter system?

Reed: In the Pacific Northwest, most homes are fairly large, so the median cost for a typical new replacement gutter system, including a micro-filtration, will run between $3,000-$5,000.

Roskamp: We have replaced all gutters and downspouts on a home for about $1,100. To save on costs, the homeowner might consider partial gutter replacement, or reusing existing downspouts.

Elvig: It depends on the size of the house, but it can typically range in cost from $900 to $1,100 for the standard K-style aluminum gutters, which I recommend, because you can get them replaced easier if necessary.

What's the best way I can maintain my gutters, and what's their typical life span?

Reed: To maintain your gutters, clean them every year with a garden hose or a pressure washer, or brush the debris off with a long telescopic brush. The system should last a lifetime.

Roskamp: A car wash scrub brush, an extension pole extending to 18 feet, a little bleach, dish soap, a bucket and a garden hose work for most two-story homes. It's like washing a car - rinse as you go and don't allow the soap to dry on the gutters.

Elvig: If you maintain and clean your gutters twice a year, they can last 20-30 years. If you clean your gutters on your own, avoid brushing debris into the downspout, because it can potentially clog your drain line.

What other advice do you have for homeowners?

Reed: Beware of unlicensed, unbonded or uninsured gutter cleaners! If the contractor falls off a ladder and doesn't have insurance, you could lose your house in a lawsuit.

Roskamp: When selecting a gutter contractor, check with Angie's List, check Internet "buzz" and check the contractor's licensing with the state labor and industries website to make sure it's current.

Elvig: Gutter companies come and go. Make sure you hire a contractor who is experienced, licensed and bonded. As a general rule, I believe if they have five or more years of experience, they'll do a better job.