When to clean the gutters

Gutters should be cleaned twice a year; the fall clean happens after main leaf drop and before freeze-up, and it is the one that prevents ice dams. The spring pass waits until after seed and blossom drop.

Your place

Fall window – Set your place

Spring pass –

Fall window opens, yearly reminder.

Why timing matters

The fall clean is the critical one. Leaves left in the gutter hold water that freezes as temperatures drop, forming ice dams that back water up under shingles and into the house. Cleaning too early leaves later leaves; cleaning too late risks working on frozen gutters.

The window above starts at your average first fall frost and runs for five weeks or until December 1, whichever comes first. The spring suggestion is two weeks after your average last frost, when seed and blossom drop has mostly finished.

Gutter windows for major cities

City		Fall window opens	Fall window closes
New York	NY	November 25	December 1
Los Angeles	CA	January 5	February 9
Chicago	IL	October 31	December 1
Houston	TX	December 28	December 1
Phoenix	AZ	December 25	December 1
Philadelphia	PA	November 10	December 1
San Antonio	TX	November 28	December 1
San Diego	CA	December 31	December 1
Dallas	TX	November 24	December 1
Austin	TX	December 3	December 1
Miami	FL	January 17	February 21
Tampa	FL	January 12	February 16
Atlanta	GA	November 9	December 1
Seattle	WA	November 17	December 1
Denver	CO	October 14	November 18
Boston	MA	November 9	December 1
Las Vegas	NV	December 10	December 1
Portland	OR	November 9	December 1
Minneapolis	MN	October 8	November 12
Detroit	MI	October 24	November 28
Nashville	TN	November 3	December 1
Charlotte	NC	November 3	December 1
Honolulu	HI	December 1	December 1
Anchorage	AK	September 29	November 3

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Questions, answered plainly

How often should gutters be cleaned?

Twice a year in most of the country: a light pass in late spring after seed and blossom drop, and a thorough clean in fall after leaf drop but before freeze-up. The fall clean is the one that prevents ice dams.

What happens if gutters freeze while full of leaves?

Wet debris traps water that can freeze into an ice dam, forcing meltwater under shingles and into walls. The damage often shows up as interior water stains or siding damage in late winter.

Can I clean gutters myself?

Yes, with a sturdy ladder, gloves, a gutter scoop, and a bucket or tarp. Do not work on the ladder in high wind or on a wet roof. If the roof is steep or the house is tall, hire a pro.

How this page was made

Data source: NOAA 30-year climate normals via the site dataset. Method: fall window opens at first fall frost and closes at the earlier of five weeks later or December 1; spring pass is two weeks after last spring frost. Verified 2026-06-12. Full notes on the methodology page.