The Affordable Way To Clean Your Gutters That Could Save You A Ton Of Cash In The Long Run

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

According to home improvement company Leaf Filter, the average cost of having a professional clean your gutters varies by state. For example, having your gutter cleaned in California can cost an average range of around $263 to $694 per cleaning. However, the overall average range in the U.S. is usually around $191 to $529 per appointment. A more affordable way to manage this household chore is to do it yourself. Thanks to home improvement products that are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, you can save yourself some money on a home improvement project with a serious return on investment. Especially when you consider how factors like accessibility and the general condition of your gutters can add on anywhere from 5% to 50% to the cost of a professional gutter cleaning.

As far as the resale value of your home, not regularly cleaning your gutters is one of those home maintenance mistakes that will cost you a fortune if neglected. According to HomeLight, gutters are considered a standard amenity of a home that won't necessarily raise the cost of your home, however, they can lower the value in an appraisal. Backed up gutters can lead to all sorts of water damage that can cause mold, wood rot, and cracks in your home's foundation. As per the Insurance Information Institute, between 2019 and 2023, the average insurance claim related to water damage filed by U.S. homeowners was $15,400, accounting for roughly 23% of all insurance losses in 2023. 

If you approach cleaning your gutters yourself from the perspective of protecting your home from damage that can negatively affect its value, it's an affordable way to raise the value of your home on a budget. According to home improvement expert Bob Vila, the best overall way to clean your gutters is with a gutter tool. Highlights include the tool's ease of use, compatibility with all sorts of gutter types, and its combination of light weight and durability. Although it doesn't come with an extension pole, you can actually screw it on to a broomstick, or, you can get an adjustable extension pole at The Home Depot like the Wooster Sherlock for an additional eight foot reach for just over $27. The scoop style Gutter Tool currently retails on Amazon for around $24. So all in, you're looking at around $51 for tools you can use multiple times, versus a potential $529 bill for a single professional gutter cleaning.

If you want to save even more money, one of just a few household products you can stop buying to save money is a cleaning solution for your gutters. According to Leaf Filter, a combination of equal parts water and vinegar, or bleach and water, are effective for removing grime, dirt, and mildew from your gutters after clearing them of debris with your Gutter Tool. Where the latter is concerned, just wear protective eye wear and rubber gloves to avoid injury.