Service

Gutter & roof cleaning

Gutters, downpipes, and low-slope roof surfaces cleared of debris before it backs up into the building envelope. Every downpipe is flush tested, not just visually inspected, before we call the job done.

What's Included

Scope of work

Gutter debris removal, all rooflines
Downpipe clearing and flush testing
Roof drain and scupper clearing on low-slope roofs
Parapet and roof edge debris removal
Moss and grit removal around drains and equipment
Debris removal from around rooftop mechanical units
Gutter guard inspection and cleaning where installed
Photo documentation of blockages or damage found
Bagged debris removal and off-site disposal
Written condition report on gutter, fascia, and downpipe condition
Method

How the work is performed

01

Roof and gutter access

Ladder, lift, or rope access is selected based on building height and roof edge protection available.

02

Debris removal

Leaves, needles, and grit are hand-cleared or vacuumed from gutters and roof drain areas and bagged for disposal.

03

Downpipe flush test

Water is run through each downpipe to confirm free flow to grade or storm connection; blockages are cleared or flagged.

04

Low-slope surface clearing

Membrane roof surfaces are cleared of debris around drains, scuppers, and rooftop equipment.

05

Fastener and seam check

Gutters are checked for loose brackets, sagging sections, or seam separation while crews are already at each run.

06

Condition reporting

Findings — blockages, damage, standing water — are documented and reported before crews leave site.

Access Approach

Access approach

  • Ground crew (ladder)
    Used for low-rise buildings with straightforward gutter runs and safe ladder placement.
  • Boom or scissor lift
    Used where ladder access is unsafe or the roofline is long, allowing continuous work without repositioning a ladder.
  • Rope access
    Used on taller buildings or where the roof edge and anchor points support it, avoiding lift staging costs.
  • Roof walk (with fall protection)
    Used for low-slope membrane roof surface clearing, with guardrails, anchors, or travel restraint per WorkSafeBC requirements.
Pricing

What drives the price

  • Roofline length
    Priced per linear foot of gutter, with roof surface debris quoted separately.
  • Building height
    Determines whether ladder, lift, or rope access is required.
  • Contamination level
    Heavy moss, compacted debris, or standing water take longer to clear than routine leaf buildup.
  • Access complexity
    Steep roofs, obstructed gutter runs, or limited lift setup area add time.
  • Frequency
    Scheduled visits before and after leaf season cost less per visit than reactive one-off calls.
Frequency

Recommended frequency

Tree cover and roof pitch are the biggest factors — buildings under or near deciduous trees need a fall visit at minimum, often paired with a spring check.

Tree-adjacent strata or commercial building — twice yearly (fall and spring)
Open-site commercial building, minimal tree cover — annual
Low-slope membrane roof with rooftop equipment — annual surface clearing
Industrial building with large roof drains — annual, pre-wet-season
Questions

Frequently asked questions

Why does downpipe flush testing matter?+

A gutter can look clear while the downpipe below it is blocked with compacted debris, which backs water up during a heavy rain and can overflow into the building envelope. We flush each downpipe with water after clearing gutters to confirm it drains freely, not just that the trough is empty.

How is debris disposed of?+

Organic debris is bagged at the point of collection and hauled off site — we don't drop it into landscaping beds or storm drains, which is both a bylaw issue and a source of future blockages.

Do you clean low-slope and flat commercial roofs, or just gutters?+

Both. Low-slope membrane roofs accumulate leaves, grit, and moss around drains and parapets, which we clear as part of the same visit — this is surface debris removal around drains and equipment, not a roof coating or membrane service.

Is it safe to walk on a membrane roof for cleaning?+

Yes, when done correctly. Crews use soft-soled footwear, avoid dragging equipment across the membrane, and follow the same WorkSafeBC fall-protection requirements as any other rooftop work, including guardrails, anchor points, or travel restraint where the roof lacks a parapet.

How often should gutters actually be cleaned in this climate?+

More often than most drier regions — Metro Vancouver's fall leaf drop combined with near-constant rain through winter means a gutter that's fine in September can be overflowing by December. Tree-adjacent buildings usually need two visits a year rather than one.

Next Steps

Related pages

Get a budget estimate, review our insurance and safety credentials, or see recent work in our case studies.

Client Feedback

Trusted to protect drainage systems

Verified feedback from facility managers on our gutter and roof cleaning programs.

Read our reviews on Google →
The Spiffy Window Cleaning crew arrived on schedule, were courteous, worked diligently and did a great job. The windows look fantastic. An added bonus - the management and employees are customer oriented and responsive.
James Kellett
Google review
Class act! Super easy to book and showed up on time and did a stellar job! I had all of the glass windows cleaned and let me tell you winter was unkind to all of our sliding glass doors and now they are perfection. Will be booking them again soon!
Jenny Beth Meischl
Google review
David and all of the team at Spiffy are good guys who aim to please. They did a wonderful job on my windows, gutters inside and out, and my deck glass which was covered in years of green algae. I didn't think I needed cleaning, but after it was done, I must say, I do enjoy my clear views.
Karen L
Google review

Get a gutter and roof cleaning estimate

Tell us the roofline length and building height and we'll quote a maintenance schedule.

Next step

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