Gutter clear rental in Exeter

The Tenant Damp Complaint

Phone call from your tenant: there's damp on the bedroom wall.

You arrange a visit. The damp patch is spreading. Wallpaper's peeling. There's that musty smell starting.

Walk outside and look up. Gutters are overflowing. Been like that for months probably, water cascading down the wall every time it rains.

One blocked gutter = hundreds in damp repairs. Should've just cleared the bloody gutters.

💡 Pro tip: Preventative gutter maintenance costs £85-160. Fixing damp damage costs £500+. Plus unhappy tenant, possible deposit disputes, property off-market for repairs. Clear the gutters.

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Why Gutter Clearing Matters for Rentals

Blocked gutters aren't cosmetic - they cause actual damage.

✅ Clear Gutters	❌ Blocked Gutters
Water drains to downpipes and away	Overflows down walls
No damp penetration	Damp patches, mould, damage
Tenant happy and dry	Tenant complaining
Property maintained	Looks neglected

Plus: blocked gutters are heavy. Eventually they sag, brackets fail, whole sections can come down. Then you're replacing guttering not just clearing it.

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What You Get

🔧 Complete Gutter Clearing

🍂 Guttering

• All gutters cleared of leaves, debris, moss
• Outlets to downpipes unblocked
• Gutter run tested with water
• Sagging or damaged sections noted

💧 Downpipes

• All downpipes checked and cleared
• Blockages removed (usually leaves/moss)
• Water flow tested
• Damaged pipes noted

🗑️ Waste Removal

• All debris bagged up
• Removed from site (or bagged for your bin)
• Garden tidied of any dropped material

📸 Problem Reporting

• Photos of any damage found
• Cracked gutters, broken brackets reported
• Recommendations for repairs needed
• Before/after photos of cleared gutters

📦 You're Left With

• Gutters clear and flowing
• Downpipes unblocked
• Debris gone
• Report on any issues found

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Pricing Guide

Property Type	Estimated Time	You'll Pay
Small terraced house	1.5-2 hrs	£85-£110
Semi-detached / 2-bed house	2-2.5 hrs	£110-£135
Detached house / 3-bed	2.5-3 hrs	£135-£160

Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Properties with conservatory gutters or awkward access may take longer.

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When Gutters Need More Than Clearing

Sometimes I clear gutters and find problems underneath:

Common gutter issues:

• Cracked sections - common on old cast iron or brittle plastic
• Broken brackets - gutters sagging because fixings failed
• Corroded joins - leaking where sections meet
• Damaged downpipes - cracked or split, especially on old cast iron

I'll report what I find. You decide whether to repair now or later. But clearing gutters often reveals why they're blocked - damaged sections trap debris.

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Frequency: How Often Should You Clear Them?

Twice a year (ideal):

• Spring (after leaf fall and winter debris)
• Autumn (after main leaf fall, before winter rain)

Once a year (minimum):

• Autumn, before winter
• Stops winter rain causing damp

Quarterly (if needed):

• Properties surrounded by trees
• Lots of moss on roof
• Previous blocking problems

Regular clearing is cheaper per visit than emergency clearance when gutters have been ignored for years.

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Different Property Types, Different Gutter Challenges

Victorian/Edwardian properties (common in Exeter):

• Often have cast iron guttering
• Higher rooflines need longer ladders
• Ornate brackets and fittings
• Cast iron can be fragile when old

Modern properties:

• Plastic guttering (lighter, easier)
• Usually lower, more accessible
• Simpler to clear
• But plastic can crack if neglected

I've cleared gutters on all Exeter property types - the old terraces in St Thomas, Victorian villas in Heavitree, modern estates in Cranbrook. All need different approaches.