Yes, gutters with gutter guards still need cleaning, just less often. Guards keep out leaves and larger debris, but fine material, seed pods and grit still get through or build up on top, and the guard has to come off or be cleaned around to clear it. Check guarded gutters at least once or twice a year and before fire season.
The short answer
- Gutter guards reduce cleaning; they do not remove it
- Fine debris still builds up under and on top of guards
- Check at least once or twice a year, and before fire season
- Clean the guard surface and flush the gutter underneath
- Valleys and downpipes still need checking
Why guarded gutters still need cleaning
- Fine material such as dust, grit and small seeds passes through the mesh and settles in the gutter
- Leaves and pods sit on top of the guard, blocking water from entering the gutter
- Wet debris on the mesh can grow moss and hold water against the roof edge
- Downpipes still collect grit and can block
How often to check them
Health guidance on rainwater tanks recommends cleaning roofs and gutters twice a year, and the CFA lists clearing gutters as basic fire season preparation. Guards usually mean each clean is quicker, not that you can skip it. Homes under big trees may still need checking more often.
Sources: enHealth: Guidance on the use of rainwater tanks; CFA: Start preparing your property for fire season.
How guarded gutters are cleaned
- Clear the topBrush or blow leaves and pods off the guard surface.
- Open or lift sectionsWhere the guard is designed to lift or unclip, open sections to reach the gutter.
- Flush the gutterWash fine debris toward the downpipes and check they drain.
- Check fixingsMake sure the guard is secure, especially at the roof edge and corners, and that tiles have not been disturbed.
Set the ladder on firm level ground, a quarter of its length out from the wall, at least one metre above the gutter, keep three points of contact and have someone hold the base. Do not walk on the roof.
Sources: Agency for Clinical Innovation: Steps to home ladder safety.
Worried about the roof edge?
If guards have disturbed the bottom tiles, book a free roof inspection.
Gutter guards on tiled roofs
On tiled roofs, guards are usually fixed along the gutter and tucked or clipped under the bottom row of tiles. Done carelessly, that can lift or crack tiles and let water in. If guards are being fitted or removed, have the bottom courses of tiles checked afterwards.
Bushfire areas
In bushfire-prone areas, dry leaves in gutters are a fire risk, and CSIRO’s bushfire research covers keeping gutters clear and sealing gaps at the roof edge. Guards can help, but only if they are kept clean and suit your bushfire attack level.
Sources: CSIRO: Bushfire retrofits for roofs; CFA: Start preparing your property for fire season.
Getting help
Our sister business PorterVac specialises in vacuum gutter cleaning across Melbourne, including gutters with guards. Royce looks after the roof itself. Read the best way to clean your gutters.
WorkSafe Victoria’s compliance code for housing construction puts edge protection such as guard railing ahead of harnesses and ladders when controlling the risk of falls from a roof. Our crews set up our own temporary safety rail, ladder guards and, where there are old skylights, safety nets before anyone works on the roof. Every crew member holds a working at heights qualification.
Common questions
Do gutters with gutter guards need cleaning?
Yes. Guards keep out leaves and larger debris, but fine material builds up underneath and leaves sit on top, so they still need checking and cleaning.
How often should gutters with guards be cleaned?
At least once or twice a year and before fire season, and more often under large trees.
Can you clean gutters without removing gutter guards?
Often you can clear the surface and flush the gutter, but some debris can only be removed by lifting or unclipping sections of the guard.
Do gutter guards damage tiled roofs?
Not if fitted carefully, but guards tucked under the bottom row of tiles can lift or crack tiles if done badly. Check the bottom courses afterwards.
Are gutter guards worth it?
They reduce how often and how hard gutters are to clean, especially under trees, but they are not maintenance-free.
Who cleans gutters with guards in Melbourne?
Royce Roofing’s sister business, PorterVac, specialises in vacuum gutter cleaning, including gutters with guards.
Related
Sources: enHealth: Guidance on the use of rainwater tanks; CFA: Start preparing your property for fire season; Agency for Clinical Innovation: Steps to home ladder safety; CSIRO: Bushfire retrofits for roofs.
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