Most homes in Brisbane and Moreton Bay need their gutters cleaned at least once a year, ideally in late winter or spring before storm season starts. Homes under eucalypts, poincianas or palms, or on blocks backing onto bushland, often need it every three to six months.
The right frequency for your house depends on what's growing around it, what kind of roof and gutters you have, and whether you collect rainwater. This guide explains how to work it out.
Why gutter timing matters in south-east Queensland
Our storm season runs roughly from October to March. Summer storms here often drop a lot of rain in a short time, and gutters that are even half blocked can't carry that volume. The water spills over the front of the gutter, soaks the fascia and eaves, and pours down against the walls and slab edge.
Over time, overflowing gutters lead to rotten fascia boards, rusted gutters, damp walls and water pooling against the house. Water sitting against a slab is also one of the conditions termites like, and Queensland is a high-risk area for them. Cleaning before the storms arrive is far better than finding out mid-downpour.
How often to clean gutters, by situation
| Your situation | Suggested frequency |
|---|---|
| No large trees near the roof, newer estate | Once a year, before storm season |
| A few trees nearby, or neighbour's trees overhanging | Twice a year: late winter and early autumn |
| Under eucalypts, poincianas, jacarandas or palms | Every three to six months |
| Backing onto bushland | Every three to six months, plus before bushfire season |
| Collecting rainwater in a tank | At least twice a year, to keep tank water cleaner |
Gum trees are the biggest factor. They drop leaves, bark and gumnuts all year, not just in autumn, so homes in leafy suburbs like Albany Creek, Everton Hills and Arana Hills usually need more frequent cleans than homes in newer estates with young street trees.
Signs your gutters need cleaning now
- Water spilling over the front of the gutter in rain
- Plants, grass or seedlings growing out of the gutter
- Stains or water marks on the fascia and eaves
- Downpipes that barely trickle during heavy rain
- Birds, possums or rats nesting in or around the gutters
- Sagging gutters, which can be caused by the weight of wet debris
- Mosquitoes breeding near the house in summer, as blocked gutters hold water
Don't forget the downpipes
Clean gutters won't help if the downpipes are blocked. Leaves and silt collect at the top of the downpipe and at bends, and water then backs up and overflows even from a clean gutter. After cleaning, run water through each downpipe from a hose to check it flows freely.
Blockages deeper in the underground stormwater pipes are a job for a plumber. Signs include water bubbling up from the ground near a downpipe, or a downpipe that fills up and overflows at the joint.
Gutter guards: worth it?
Gutter guard can cut down how often gutters need cleaning, particularly under trees with large leaves. It doesn't remove the need altogether. Fine debris, gum leaves and silt still get through or build up on top, and some guards are harder to clean when they do fill up.
If you have gutter guard, check the top of it each year and have the gutters underneath checked every year or two.
Doing it yourself safely
Plenty of people clean their own single-storey gutters. If you do, use a sturdy ladder on firm, level ground, have someone hold it, and keep three points of contact. Never work on a wet or windy day, and don't lean out sideways; move the ladder instead. Scoop debris into a bucket rather than dropping it onto garden beds, where it can smother plants.
Falls from ladders are a common cause of serious injury around the home. For two-storey homes, steep roofs or anything that makes you uneasy, it's worth paying someone with the right equipment.
Clear the cause, not just the gutter
If the same branches drop leaves into your gutters every month, cutting them back will save you cleans. Shrubs and small branches reachable from the ground can be handled with hedge trimming. Large trees over the roof need a qualified arborist.
Questions we get asked
What month should I clean my gutters in Brisbane?
August to October is ideal, before the storm season builds. If you only do it once a year, do it then.
Can blocked gutters cause leaks inside?
Yes. Overflowing water can get into the eaves and wall cavities, and box gutters that overflow can leak straight into the house.
Want your gutters done before storm season?
We clean gutters, clear overhanging growth and take all the debris away, across Brendale and Moreton Bay.
- Gutter Cleaning: Gutters and downpipes cleared of leaves and debris before storm season, so water drains away from the house.
- Hedge Trimming: Clean, even hedge trimming and shrub pruning for privacy screens, formal hedges and overgrown boundaries.
- Green Waste Removal: Yard clean-ups and green waste removal: branches, prunings, palm fronds, leaves and storm debris taken away.