Do I Really Need Gutter Cleaning if I Have Gutter Guard Installed?
By AC Gutter Guard — Trusted Gutter Guard Experts in Wollongong, Illawarra & South Coast
Many homeowners assume that once gutter guard is installed, they’ll never need gutter cleaning again.
The truth? Gutter guard massively reduces maintenance, but no system in the world eliminates it completely.
Here’s the honest explanation — and what you actually need to do after installing gutter guard.
✔ Do Gutter Guards Eliminate Gutter Cleaning?
Not entirely — but they reduce it by 80–95%.
With a quality aluminium mesh system like the one we install, your gutters stay:
• Clear of leaves
• Clear of gum nuts
• Clear of sticks
• Clear of birds & pests
• Clear of roof debris
But over time, fine silt, dust, seed pods and ash can still build up on top of the mesh.
This doesn’t block the gutter, but it can affect water flow if not brushed off occasionally.
✔ How Often Do You Need to Clean Gutters After Installing Gutter Guard?
In the Illawarra, Wollongong, and South Coast areas, we recommend:
Every 1–2 Years
A quick maintenance clean is plenty for:
• Standard homes
• Single-storey roofs
• Medium leaf fall
Every 6–12 Months (High Maintenance Areas)
If your home has:
• Heavy gum trees
• Pines, wattles, or casuarinas
• Rooftop solar panels
• Frequent storms
• Ember risk (BAL-rated areas)
You may need more frequent sweeping or a quick hose-down.
But compared to 3–4 times per year without gutter guard, it’s a huge improvement.
✔ Why You Still Need the Occasional Clean
Even with a fully sealed mesh system, small things can accumulate:
• Fine dust and silt wash down from the roof
• Ash and burnt debris during fire season
• Seeds dropped by birds
• Moss or lichen on older roofs
• Salt build-up near coastal homes
This sits on top of the mesh — not in the gutter — but cleaning it helps:
• Prevent staining
• Maintain water flow
• Extend the life of the mesh
• Keep the roof looking new
✔ What Happens If You Don’t Clean at All?
Usually nothing dramatic — but over many years you may see:
• Overflowing during heavy rain
• Moss growth spreading
• Discolouration on roof edges
• Reduced lifespan of the mesh
Think of it like washing your car — it still works if you don’t wash it, but it lasts longer when you do.
✔ Do We Offer Gutter Guard Maintenance Services?
Yes — AC Gutter Guard offers gutter guard cleaning, roof sweeping, and system inspections across:
• Wollongong
• Illawarra
• Southern Highlands
• Shoalhaven
• South Coast
We can:
• Sweep and wash down the mesh
• Inspect the roofline
• Check for storm damage
• Confirm the guttering is flowing properly
Most customers only need this every 1–2 years, making it far cheaper than ongoing gutter cleaning.
✔ When Gutter Guard Means “No More Cleaning At All”
Some homes truly don’t need any maintenance at all — typically:
• Newer Colorbond roofs
• Areas with very few trees
• Homes without solar panels
• Low-wind properties
• Open, south-facing roofs
We’ll let you know after inspecting your home whether you fall into this category.
✔ Final Answer: Is Gutter Cleaning Still Needed?
Yes — but rarely.
Gutter guard does 95% of the work, and you’ll avoid:
• Blocked gutters
• Water overflow
• Fire risk
• Heavy labour
• Expensive cleaning costs
A small clean every 1–2 years is more than enough for most homes in NSW.
Want an Expert Check-Up?
If you’d like us to inspect or clean your existing gutter guard system, or install a new one:
📞 Call AC Gutter Guard
📍 Servicing Illawarra, Wollongong, Southern Highlands, Shoalhave, South Coast & many more