Clean your eavestroughs at least twice a year in Simcoe County and Muskoka: once in spring after the snow has gone, and once in late fall after the leaves are down. Properties under pines, spruce or large maples often need three or four cleanings a year.
The two cleanings that matter
Spring (April to May)
After a Simcoe or Muskoka winter the troughs hold shingle grit, needles, rotted leaves and sometimes ice debris, just as snowmelt and spring rain arrive together. A blocked trough in April sends that water over the edge and against the foundation.
- Clear debris left from the winter.
- Look for hangers or brackets that pulled loose under ice.
- Check that downspouts discharge well away from the foundation, not beside it.
- Look for rust, cracks and separated joints.
Fall (October to November)
This is the cleaning that matters most. Maples and oaks drop their leaves in a few weeks, and wet leaves mat down in a trough almost immediately. Clean once most of the leaves are down but before the first hard freeze, when whatever is left in the trough turns to ice.
Planning work like this? Tell us about it and we will connect you with one independent local contractor. Free, and no obligation.
When to clean more often
- Lots with mature trees hanging over the roof, which is common on Muskoka waterfront properties.
- Pine or spruce nearby: needles fall all year and are what clog downspouts.
- Low-pitch roofs, where debris settles instead of washing through.
Signs they need attention now
- Water spilling over the front of the trough during rain.
- Sagging sections, usually from the weight of trapped water or ice.
- Staining or mildew on the siding below the eaves.
- Water pooling at the foundation after rain.
- Birds or pests nesting in the troughs.
Do gutter guards remove the need to clean?
Good guards cut cleaning back a long way, but none remove it entirely. Fine material like shingle grit and pine pollen still collects on top of the mesh over time. On heavily treed properties guards are usually worth it; ask the contractor which type suits the trees you have.
What skipping it costs
- Foundation and basement water: overflow lands at the base of the wall, which is where basement leaks start.
- Fascia rot: standing water wicks into the board behind the trough.
- Ice dams: a trough full of debris freezes solid and gives meltwater nowhere to go.
- Erosion: overflow cuts channels through gardens and walkways.
Getting it done safely
Ladder work at the roofline is where a lot of homeowner injuries happen. If you would rather not do it yourself, we can pass your request to one independent local exterior contractor, who can clean and flush the system and tell you whether repairs or guards are worth considering.
Frequently asked questions
Can I clean eavestroughs myself?
Many homeowners do, on a single-storey house with a sound ladder and someone to steady it. Two-storey rooflines, steep lots and anything near power lines are better left to a contractor.
Do gutter guards stop pine needles?
Fine mesh guards stop most needles, while coarser screens let them through. Needles can still build up on top of any guard, so expect a light clearing now and then.
Is it too late to clean once it has frozen?
Frozen debris cannot be cleared properly, and working on an icy roofline is risky. If the fall cleaning was missed, plan it for the first dry spell in spring, before the spring rains arrive.