“Gutter cleaning” can mean very different things from one company to the next. For some crews it means scooping the top layer of leaves off the front of the gutter and leaving. For others it means a full flush, a flow test, photos, and a report. When you are comparing quotes, you need to know which one you are buying.
This guide spells out exactly what a complete gutter cleaning in Lafayette includes, why each step matters in a place with live oaks, Spanish moss, and over 60 inches of rain a year, and what is not part of the job. Use it as a checklist for any company, including us.
Quick answer: A full gutter cleaning should include debris removal from the whole gutter run, flushing every downspout, a water flow test, a condition inspection, before and after photos, and hauling the debris away. Repairs, gutter guard installation, and roof cleaning are separate.
Why Gutters Work Harder in Lafayette
NOAA’s 1991 to 2020 normals for Lafayette Regional Airport show about 62.8 inches of rain a year, with measurable rain on about 117 days. July alone averages 14 rainy days. Our gutters rarely get a dry spell to rest.
Live oaks add to the load. The Lafayette Consolidated Government planting guide notes that live oaks drop leaves as new leaves emerge in spring, and that they are never completely bare. Add Spanish moss, twigs, and roof granules, and a gutter can fill fast. Then hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center, and one storm can fill gutters that were clear the week before.
FEMA’s guidance on sloped roofs says gutters and downspouts should be inspected routinely and cleared of debris, because heavy rain can overwhelm clogged ones.
The Complete Checklist: What Is Included
Here is the full list, step by step.
| Sr. No. | Step | What happens | Why it matters here |
| 1. | Before photos | We photograph the gutters before we start | Gives you proof of the starting condition |
| 2. | Full debris removal | Leaves, Spanish moss, pine needles, twigs, compacted debris, bird nests, and roof granules come out of the entire gutter run | These are the Lafayette clog makers |
| 3. | Downspout flushing | Every downspout is flushed, and blockages inside are cleared with a pressure flush | Most clogs hide in the downspout, not the trough |
| 4. | Flow test | The whole run is flushed to test slope and drainage | Shows where water pools |
| 5. | Condition inspection | We check for cracks, holes, separated seams, loose fasteners, and sections pulling from the fascia | Catches problems before the next storm |
| 6. | After photos | Both sets are sent to your phone the same day | You see the work even if you were away |
| 7. | Cleanup | Debris is bagged and hauled away | Your yard stays clean |
| 8. | Guarantee | If it is not right, we clean it again at no charge | Your risk stays with us |
Full Debris Removal
We clear the entire run, not just the corners where debris is easy to reach. That means the compacted layer at the bottom, where wet oak leaves and Spanish moss turn into a dense mat. Roof granules collect there too. A gritty paste of granules can slow drainage and eventually block downspouts from the inside.
Downspout Flushing and Clearing
A gutter that is clean on top can still fail if the downspout is plugged. We run water through every downspout and confirm flow at the ground level outlet. If something is stuck inside, we clear it with a pressure flush.
Flow Test
After the debris is out, we flush the full gutter run. Water that stands in one spot means a sag, a bad slope, or a clog we missed. We flag it and put it in your report.
Condition Inspection
While we are up there, we look. Cracks, holes, loose spikes, separated seams, and sections pulling away from the fascia all get noted. You get a written summary, and we do not pressure you to buy anything.
Photos and Cleanup
Before and after photos go to your phone the same day. Debris is bagged and removed from your property, not dumped in your beds.

What Happens to the Debris
This part is more important in Lafayette than it sounds. Lafayette Consolidated Government says yard clippings and leaves can wash into storm drains, add nutrients and organic matter to waterways, and hinder proper drainage. It asks residents not to leave yard waste in the street or sweep it into storm drains, and notes that the city and unincorporated parish offer curbside yard waste pickup.
So we bag every load and haul it off. We never blow gutter debris into the street or toward a drain.
Clogged Gutters and Mosquitoes
Standing water is where mosquitoes breed, and a clogged gutter holds water for days. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension says standing water in roof gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season. Local officials list clogged gutters among the places around a Lafayette home that hold standing water. A clean, flowing gutter takes one breeding spot off your list.
Add Ons and Bundles
- Roof cleaning. Gutters and roofs share the same drainage path. Algae, moss, and aging shingles shed debris and granules into your gutters.
- House washing. Overflow from clogged gutters can leave dark streaks on siding below the gutter line.
- PATIO & PORCH CLEANING, to handle storm debris around the house in one visit.
How Long It Takes and What to Do Before
Most homes take about 1 to 3 hours, depending on gutter length and how much debris is there. You do not need to be home. We ask that you:
Make sure we can reach the gutters around the whole house.
Open any locked gates.
Keep pets inside.
We text you when we arrive and send photos when we finish.
How Much Does Gutter Cleaning Cost in Lafayette?
Typical Lafayette homes run about [$125 to $175] for a single story with moderate debris, and [$175 to $300] for two stories or heavy Spanish moss. Your quote depends on:
- Linear feet of gutter, often 100 to 200 feet on a typical home
- Number of stories and roof access
- Debris severity, such as light leaves versus heavy Spanish moss
- Time since the last cleaning
- Number of downspouts that need flushing
How Often Should You Clean Gutters in Lafayette?
Once a year is not enough for many Acadiana homes. We suggest:
| When | Why |
| May or June | Before hurricane season starts |
| November or December | After leaf fall and storm season |
| After a major storm | One storm can refill clean gutters |
| A third visit for heavy tree cover | Live oaks and Spanish moss add up |
Do Gutter Guards Mean You Can Skip Cleaning?
Not here. Guards reduce debris, but Spanish moss can mat over screen guards, and fine debris such as pine needles can slip through and pack underneath. Roof granules collect in guard troughs too. Most homes with guards still need a periodic cleaning.
Signs Your Gutters Need Cleaning Now
- Water spills over the front edge during rain instead of draining out the downspout
- Dark stains or water marks on siding below the gutter
- Plants, moss, or Spanish moss growing in the gutter
- Standing water or more mosquitoes near the house
- Gutters sagging or pulling from the fascia
- Debris hanging over the edge

How to Compare Gutter Cleaning Quotes
Ask each company these questions.
| Ask this | A good answer |
| Do you flush every downspout? | |
| Do you test the whole run with water? | Yes, and flag spots where water pools |
| Is debris hauled away? | Yes, bagged and removed |
| Do I get photos? | Yes, before and after |
| Is there an inspection? | Yes, with a written summary |
| What if I am not happy? | A free return visit to clean it again |
| Are you insured? | Yes, with proof on request |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does gutter cleaning include the downspouts?
It should. We flush every downspout and clear blockages inside them.
Is the roof cleaned too?
No. Gutter cleaning clears the gutters. Roof cleaning is a separate service, and we can do both in one visit.
Is the debris hauled away?
Yes. We bag it and remove it from your property.
Do I need to be home?
No. We need access around the house and pets kept inside.
Does it include repairs?
No. We note problems in your report and refer you to the right trade.
Will you send photos?
Yes. You get before and after photos the same day.
Sources
- NOAA, 1991 to 2020 U.S. Climate Normals, Lafayette Regional Airport: ncei.noaa.gov
- National Hurricane Center: nhc.noaa.gov
- FEMA, P 2181 Fact Sheet 3.3.1, Roof Systems, Sloped Roofs: fema.gov
- Lafayette Consolidated Government, Stormwater Pollution Solution: lafayettela.gov/stormwater
- Lafayette Consolidated Government, Community Planting Guide: lafayettela.gov
- University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, Tips on Managing Mosquitoes Around the Home: uky.edu
- KATC, LCG gives tips on mosquito control to residents: katc.com