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.
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 |
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.
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