How Often Should You Clean Your Eavestroughs in the GTA?
The Quick Answer: In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), you should clean your eavestroughs at least twice a year: once in late spring to clear seed pods and blossoms, and once in late fall after the leaves have dropped. Neglecting this schedule in Ontario can lead to severe winter ice dams, clogged downspouts, and expensive foundation water damage.
Why Twice a Year is Essential in Southern Ontario
The climate across cities like Vaughan, Richmond Hill, and Mississauga features heavy autumn foliage and freezing winters. When eavestroughs (gutters) are full of debris, water cannot properly drain.
- The Fall Clean:
Once the leaves fall, gutters fill up quickly. If this debris is left in the troughs when the first freeze hits, the trapped water turns to solid ice, expanding and warping the aluminum. - The Spring Clean:
Spring storms bring heavy rainfall, alongside pollen, twigs, and seed pods. A spring cleaning ensures your drainage system can handle heavy April showers without overflowing onto your siding or pooling around your foundation.
The Risks of Ignoring Gutter Maintenance
- Ice Dams: Trapped water freezes and backs up under your roof shingles.
- Pest Infestations: Damp, decaying leaves are perfect nesting grounds for mosquitoes, rodents, and birds.
- Fascia Rot: Overflowing water causes the wooden boards holding your gutters to rot away.
Need help before the next storm? EZ Window Cleaning provides professional, fully insured eavestrough cleaning across the GTA, reaching up to 3 storeys high.