Gutter guards in Sonora, CA: cleaning and advice
We clean gutters that already have gutter guards, on homes in Sonora and around Tuolumne County. We lift or unclip the guard sections you already own, clear what is packed under them, flush the downspouts and put the same sections back the way they were. On some fixed guard types we clean the top and the downspout outlets instead, and tell you what we found.
After a free look we also tell you whether your guards are doing their job under the pines. Our guide to the best gutter guards for pine needles compares the types. We do not fit guards or repair gutters: when a house needs that, we say so on the estimate and tell you to call a licensed gutter contractor.
Last updated
- Guards
- Cleaned under, then put back
- Estimate
- Free, usually same or next day
- Fitting and repairs
- Not ours: a licensed gutter contractor
- Insurance
- Fully insured, proof on request
- Hours
- Mon to Fri 7 AM to 6 PM, Sat 8 AM to 4 PM
Do gutter guards work with pine needles?
A fine mesh guard keeps most pine needles out of the gutter, but no guard ends the upkeep. Needles still land on top of the guard and on the roof behind it, so a guarded gutter under pines still needs a look and a clearing, just less often and lighter work.
In This Old House's test of 12 guard brands against long and short pine needles, “Micro-mesh systems were the best type of guard we tested for keeping pine needles out of gutters,” and reverse-curve and brush guards did worst. The site says it is paid by some of the companies on its pages.
UC ANR's Fire Network saw where the needles go instead on a tested house: “The screen stopped debris from accumulating in the gutter but resulted in debris accumulating on the roof covering.” Under heavy pines, the roof still needs clearing with roof needle and debris removal.
On the free look we check the guards you have: whether needles are getting under them, matting on top of them or piling on the roof behind them. Then we tell you what we saw.
“The installation of a noncombustible gutter guard to reduce accumulated debris will reduce the need to clean the gutters.”
Should gutter guards be metal mesh, not foam?
Yes, say the fire sources, because metal does not burn and some guards do. CAL FIRE's advice is to “use noncombustible gutter covers to keep out debris and reduce maintenance.” Fire Safe Marin “strongly discourages the use of foam insert gutter guard materials, even if the manufacturer makes claims related to fire-resistance.”
| Material | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Metal mesh | Noncombustible: CAL FIRE asks for “noncombustible gutter covers” | CAL FIRE, Hardening Your Home |
| Plastic | “Non-metallic covers may burn during a fire”, though not necessarily a risk “as long as the gutters are clean” | UC ANR Fire Network |
| Foam | In informal testing, “highly combustible, ignite easily, and spread fire rapidly” | Fire Safe Marin |
If you already have guards, we tell you what we see they are made of. If you are choosing new ones, ask the licensed gutter contractor who fits them what the mesh is made of and how fine it is. A guard does not make a house fireproof: the roof and the gutters still need to be kept clear.
What does gutter guard cleaning include?
We lift or unclip the guard sections you already have, clear what is packed under them, flush every downspout and put the same sections back the way they were. On some fixed guard types that do not come off, we clean the top and the downspout outlets and tell you what we found. The debris leaves with us.
| Step | What we do |
|---|---|
| Guards lifted | The sections you already own lifted or unclipped, one run at a time |
| Under the guards | Needles, leaves and grit packed under the guard scooped out by hand |
| Downspouts | Every downspout flushed until water runs out the bottom |
| Guards back | The same sections put back the way they were |
| Fixed guards | Where a guard does not come off, the top and the downspout outlets cleaned |
| What we saw | Any leak, sag or loose guard pointed out, with a licensed gutter contractor to call |
| Debris | Bagged and hauled away |
What comes out from under a guard
Photos from our crew's own jobs. A guard over a full or plugged gutter holds the problem in, so what is under it has to come out.
What if a gutter leaks at a seam or corner?
A drip from a seam, a corner or an end cap is a leak, not an overflow: the seal has let go. We do not reseal or repair gutters, so we note the leak on the estimate and tell you to call a licensed gutter contractor.
Water held against the board the gutter hangs from softens it, and a soft board lets the gutter pull away from the roof. That is why we point out a leak when we see one.
What if my gutters need replacing?
We do not take gutters down, put new ones up or fit guards. That is work for a licensed gutter contractor, and we are not one. If we see a worn-out or sagging gutter while we clean, we say so on the estimate and tell you to call one.
What gutter work do we not do?
We are not a licensed contractor, so we do not do repair or installation work on gutters. When we find a problem, we say so on the estimate and tell you to call a licensed gutter contractor, rather than guess at a fix.
- Fitting or replacing gutter guards
- Resealing leaking seams and corners
- Rehanging or re-sloping a sagging gutter
- Adding downspouts
- Taking gutters down or putting new ones up
- Clearing buried drain lines
- Roofing and roof repairs
How much does gutter guard cleaning cost?
We price it after a free look, so you get one price for the whole house before work starts. What moves it is how much gutter there is, how your guards come off, and how much is packed under them.
| What we look at | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Length of gutter | Every run has guards to lift and a gutter to clear |
| Type of guard | How the sections come off, or whether they come off at all |
| Height | Two stories and up means a taller ladder and more care |
| How full the gutters are | Needles and grit packed under a guard take longer to clear |
| Downspouts | A draining downspout only needs a flush; a packed one has to be cleared |
Gutter guards in Sonora and the towns around it
We clean gutters with guards across Tuolumne County. The higher you go, the closer the pines stand over the roof, and the more a guard has to keep out.
Read next
- The best gutter guards for pine needlesEvery guard type compared under pines
- When to clean gutters in SonoraRain, leaf fall and needle fall for each month
- Gutter and downspout cleaningClogged gutters scooped out and downspouts flushed
- Roof needle and debris removalPine needles and leaves cleared off the roof and valleys
Gutter guard questions
What people ask us about cleaning gutters that have guards, and about guards under pines. Something else on your mind? Call and ask.
Call (209) 213-4295Can you clean gutters that already have guards?
Yes. We lift or unclip the sections you already have, clear what is packed under them, flush the downspouts and put the same sections back. UC ANR's Fire Network says gutter covers “may still require periodic attention”, and under pines they do.
Do you install gutter guards?
No. We are not a licensed contractor, so we do not fit or install guards. If your gutters would gain from them, we tell you so on the estimate and suggest you call a licensed gutter contractor.
What gutter guards work best under pines?
In This Old House's test of 12 brands, micro-mesh guards kept the most pine needles out, and CAL FIRE asks for noncombustible gutter covers. Our guide to gutter guards for pine needles compares every type.
Will you tell me if my guards are not worth it?
Yes. If your house sits under a couple of oaks and no pines, a cleaning or two a year may be all it needs, and we tell you that. If your guards are letting needles in or holding them on top, we tell you that too.
Can you fix a gutter that sags or leaks under the guards?
No. Rehanging, resealing and replacing gutters is work for a licensed gutter contractor, and we are not one. When we see a sag or a leak while we clean, we note it on the estimate and tell you to call one.
Do my guards go back on the way they were?
Yes. We put the same sections you already own back where they came from. If a section is bent, broken or missing, we tell you what we saw rather than replace it, since fitting guards is a licensed gutter contractor's job.
Get your gutters cleared before the next storm
Send the form and we call you back, usually within the hour, to set up a free look at your gutters and roof.
Or call us
(209) 213-4295- Free estimate, usually same or next day
- One price for the whole house before we start
- Debris hauled away
- Fully insured