The Florida gutter calendar
- March-May: clear before hurricane season - the single most important cleaning
- June-November: monitor after major storms for debris and blockages
- November-December: clear after leaf and needle drop
- Any time: after tree work, roof work or a named storm
Why hurricane season is the deadline
A Florida downpour can drop several inches an hour. Gutters are sized for that volume only when they are clear. Blocked, they overflow behind the fascia, saturate soffits, and dump concentrated water at the foundation - exactly the conditions that cause rot and settling.
What clogged gutters actually cost
- Fascia and soffit rot: $500-$3,000 to repair
- Foundation and settling issues: far more
- Interior water intrusion and drywall damage
- Mosquito breeding in standing water
- Gutter separation from the weight of soaked debris
Gutter cleaning versus gutter brightening
Cleaning clears the inside so water flows. Brightening removes the vertical black 'tiger stripes' from the outside face - oxidation and road film that ordinary washing never touches. They are separate services and most homes benefit from both.