When Should You Clean Your Gutters in London? The 2026 Seasonal Schedule

Gutter blockages cause more residential damp claims in London than every other roof failure combined. The pattern is seasonal: leaves in November, blossom and helicopter-seeds in April, moss and silt year-round. Cleaning at the right two points in the year prevents 95% of overflow damage — and costs less than the excess on a single damp claim.

The London gutter calendar

• October–November: schedule annual main clean once leaves have fallen
• December–February: opportunistic top-up if you have evergreen overhang or pine needles
• March: visual inspection — bird nests visible from a phone-camera shot
• April–May: second clean if blossom-trees overhang (lime, cherry, magnolia)
• June–August: storm gutter check after summer downpours
• September: pre-autumn flush before leaf-fall starts

Why London needs a different approach

London's tree mix is unlike most UK cities: heavy plane tree population in zones 1–4, lime trees lining most TW and SW residential roads, and mature horse chestnut, beech and sycamore in suburban gardens. Plane trees shed their seedy 'helicopters' in spring, lime trees drop sticky honeydew in summer, and the lot drop leaves in November. A single annual clean often misses the spring deposit.

Signs you need a clean now

• Water spilling over the gutter front during heavy rain (most obvious sign)
• Saplings or grass growing out of the gutter visible from the street
• Watermark stains running down brickwork below the gutter line
• Damp patches inside on the wall directly below the affected gutter
• Birds repeatedly flying into the gutter line (indicates nesting)
• Mossy build-up visible from upstairs windows

Vacuum cleaning vs ladders

We use ground-based vacuum kit only: a 3,000W wet/dry industrial vacuum, 12-metre carbon-fibre clip-pole, and a phone-fed camera on the pole tip so we can see exactly what's coming out. No ladders against your brickwork. No-one on your roof tiles. Works on detached, semi, terrace, and most townhouse types up to 3 storeys. Add £30 for above-3-storey or steep flat-roof access.

What we charge in TW and SW postcodes

1–2 bed terrace or flat: £75–£95. 3-bed semi: £95–£130. 4-bed detached: £130–£175. 5-bed-plus or unusual roofline: £170–£220. Includes a phone photo-and-video report showing what came out and confirming downpipes are flowing. 10% off if you book the same date next year on the day. Same-day slots available October to February.