Most homes in Central Arkansas need their gutters cleaned twice a year: once in late fall and once in midsummer. Homes under heavy tree cover may need it more often.
The timing matters as much as the number. Clean too early in the fall and the gutters fill right back up. Wait too long and a packed gutter holds water that freezes in the first ice storm, and that extra weight can pull a gutter loose or break it.
Here is the schedule we recommend to homeowners around Little Rock, Conway, and the rest of Central Arkansas, based on what we see cleaning gutters across the area.
How often
2× a year
More often if trees hang over the roof.
Fall cleaning
Late Nov
After most leaves are down and before the first ice. Early December works too.
Second cleaning
Midsummer
Clears spring pollen, seed pods, and needles before the summer storms.
Why Late November or Early December
In Central Arkansas, many trees hold their leaves well into the fall, and oaks are often the last to finish. If your gutters are cleaned in October, there is a good chance they are full again by Thanksgiving.
The goal is to clean after the main leaf drop but before winter weather sets in. Our area does not get much snow, but it does get ice. A gutter packed with wet leaves holds water, and when that water freezes the weight adds up fast. That is how gutters get pulled away from the fascia or split at the seams.
For most homes, that window lands in late November or early December. If your yard drops late, push the cleaning toward December.
Why a Second Cleaning in Midsummer
Spring is messy for gutters. Oak tassels, pollen, maple seeds, and pine needles land on the roof and wash into the gutters, where they mat down into a thick sludge. By early summer, a gutter that looks fine from the ground can be half full.
A midsummer cleaning clears that out before the heavy thunderstorms. When gutters overflow in a downpour, the water pours down beside your foundation instead of going out the downspout, and it leaves dirty streaks on the siding below the gutter line. Standing water in a clogged gutter can also breed mosquitoes.
How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?
Twice a year is the right baseline for most homes. Adjust from there:
- Few or no trees near the roof: twice a year is usually plenty.
- Trees over or next to the roof: keep the two regular cleanings and check the gutters in between, because a third visit is sometimes needed.
- Pines over the roofline: needles fall all year and slip through many guards, so check more often.
Left alone long enough, gutters start growing things.
How We Clean Gutters
Every gutter cleaning we do follows the same three steps, whether it is a one-story ranch or a large two-story home.
Step 1: Clear every run
Debris comes out of each gutter. Next to nice landscaping, we clean by hand so it doesn’t land in your beds.
Step 2: Flush the downspouts
We run water through every downspout to make sure it drains. In freezing weather we push the debris through instead.
Step 3: Clean guards in place
If you have gutter guards, we spray them out with a pressure washer instead of pulling them off.
“I’ve pulled bird’s nests and even little trees out of gutters.”
A Note on Gutter Guards
Guards cut down on big leaves, but they don’t make gutters maintenance-free. Pollen, seed pods, and pine needles still build up on top of the guard and in the mesh.
We clean guards in place because many older guards have been baking in the Arkansas sun for years. They get brittle, and pulling them off is a good way to crack them. Spraying them out cleans the guard and the gutter under it without breaking anything.
Signs Your Gutters Need Cleaning Now
- Water spills over the edge when it rains
- Plants or seedlings growing out of the gutter
- Dark streaks on the siding below the gutter line
- Downspouts that barely flow
- Gutters sagging or pulling away from the house
- Washed-out mulch or pooled water beside the foundation
What’s Included When TXK Cleans Gutters
- Debris cleared from every gutter run
- Every downspout flushed and checked for flow
- Gutter guards sprayed out in place
- Hand cleaning next to landscaped beds
Want the rest of the house cleaned while we’re there? Gutter cleaning pairs well with a house wash, which also takes care of the streaks on the outside of the gutters.
What Gutter Cleaning Costs Around Little Rock
For a typical one-story home, our gutter cleaning runs about $200. Two-story homes vary a lot more, depending on the height, the roofline, how long the runs are, and how packed the gutters are, so we quote those one at a time.
Gutter guards and the number of downspouts also affect the price. We give you our best price up front, and we offer a military discount. Send a few photos of your house and we can give you a closer number.
If You Clean Your Own Gutters
Plenty of homeowners handle a one-story house themselves. If you do:
- Set the ladder on firm, level ground, and don’t lean it on the gutter itself.
- Keep three points of contact and don’t overreach. Move the ladder instead.
- Stay off wet or mossy roofs.
- Have someone nearby while you’re on the ladder.
- Don’t skip the downspouts. A clean gutter that drains into a clogged downspout still overflows.
For two-story homes, steep roofs, or anything you aren’t comfortable reaching, it’s worth calling a pro.
Gutter Cleaning FAQs
Have a question about insurance or payment? Our main FAQ page covers those.
How often should gutters be cleaned in Arkansas?
Twice a year for most homes: once in late November or early December and once in midsummer. Homes with trees over the roof may need more.
What month is best to clean gutters in Central Arkansas?
For the fall cleaning, late November or early December, after most leaves have dropped but before the first ice. The second cleaning is best in midsummer.
Do gutter guards need to be cleaned?
Yes. Pollen, seed pods, and pine needles collect on top of guards and in the mesh. We spray guards out in place instead of removing them, since older guards get brittle and crack.
Do you clean the downspouts too?
Yes. Every downspout gets flushed to make sure it drains. In freezing weather we push the debris through instead of using water.
How much does gutter cleaning cost?
About $200 for a typical one-story home. Two-story homes vary with height, roofline, and how packed the gutters are, so we quote them individually. Request an estimate for your home.
Do you offer a military discount?
Yes. Let us know you serve or served when you ask for a quote.
Get Your Gutters on the Schedule
The late fall window between leaf drop and the first ice is short, so it pays to book early. We clean gutters in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Maumelle, Conway, and across our service areas.
Call or text (501) 402-0196, or learn more about our gutter cleaning service.