Service
Gutter and downpipe cleaning
Short answer
Clear gutters and downpipes once a year, after the autumn leaf fall. A blocked gutter spills rain down the wall and can cause damp inside. Local firms publish £65 for a terraced house to £140 for a detached one. Many use a vacuum on a long pole, so nobody climbs a ladder. This page lists local firms.
Firms found on a trade register first, then A to Z.
| Firm | Based in | Does | Checks | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final Touch Home Improvements | Aylesbury Covers Aylesbury, Princes Risborough, Buckingham +2 |
Odd jobs, Shelves and fixings, Flat-pack assembly, Small repairs, +5 | Trading, no register found | 0333 577 6377Website |
| Martin's Property Maintenance | Milton Keynes MK10 Covers Milton Keynes |
Odd jobs, Shelves and fixings, Flat-pack assembly, Doors and windows, +4 | Trading, no register found | 07747 633429Website |
No firms match. Clear a filter to see more.
What a gutter clear covers
The firm scoops or vacuums out leaves, moss and grit along the whole run, then tests that water flows down each pipe. Photos are the only way you can see the result.
Geyserclean in Stony Stratford says it flushes the system, photographs it and writes notes on faults. It says it reports faults but does not repair them. Butler Bespoke Roofing in High Wycombe rods the downpipes and photographs each gutter run.
Why it matters
Water that spills from a blocked gutter soaks the wall below it. That adds to damp inside the house.
Gutters near tall trees fill fastest. Homes near woods in the Chilterns may need a second clear in spring.
Ladder safety
Many firms work from the ground with a gutter vacuum. HSE advises other equipment once a job needs more than 30 minutes at a time on a leaning ladder, and limits ladders to low-risk work.
- The foot of a leaning ladder goes 1 unit out for each 4 units of height (75°).
- Hold on with one hand and both feet as you go up and down.
- Move the ladder rather than lean out to one side.
- Look over the feet, rungs and stiles for damage first.
Repairs and new gutters
Building control does not need to approve new guttering. It is on the GOV.UK list of exempt work.
Swapping old cast iron for plastic on a listed house can need listed building consent. Fascia and soffit work is often a roofer’s job.
Questions
What time of year should gutters be cleared?
November suits most homes, once the trees are bare. Under beech or oak woods, plan a second visit in spring.
Do gutter cleaners fix leaks too?
Some do and some do not. Geyserclean in Stony Stratford says it reports faults with photos but does not repair them. Ask before you book.
Is it safe to clear my own gutters?
A bungalow gutter from a well-footed ladder is a short job. For longer or higher work, HSE says a ladder is the wrong tool: use a tower, a platform or a firm with a gutter vacuum.