Clogged eavestroughs are the single biggest cause of basement leaks, ice dams, fascia rot, and foundation water damage in Ottawa homes. With heavy seasonal leaf-fall from mature maples and oaks, plus shingle granules and silver-maple seeds, most Ottawa homes need eavestrough cleaning at least once per year (twice for treed lots). This page covers what professional eavestrough cleaning includes, 2026 pricing in Ottawa, when to schedule, gutter guard options, and how to vet a reliable eavestrough contractor.
A proper Ottawa eavestrough cleaning service should include: full hand-removal of leaves and debris from every gutter run (not just blown out with a leaf blower), flushing each downspout with a hose to confirm flow, inspection of all hangers and brackets for looseness, inspection of fascia and soffit for rot or wasp/bird nests, photo documentation of any issues found, and final cleanup of debris from grounds and walkways. Avoid 'spray-and-pray' providers that only blow gutters with leaf blowers ...
Single-storey home (bungalow): $135-$195. Side-split or raised bungalow: $165-$235. Two-storey home (standard 2,000 sq ft): $195-$295. Three-storey or steep-roof homes: $275-$395. Add-ons: gutter guard inspection $25-$45, minor hanger re-secure $15-$35 per bracket, downspout extension installation $45-$85, soffit/fascia spot-repair $85-$250. Most reputable Ottawa eavestrough cleaners offer a 14-day clog-free guarantee — if a downspout backs up within 2 weeks of service, they return free.
Best timing: late October to mid-November (after maple/oak leaf drop, before first hard freeze). A second cleaning in early spring (April) catches winter shingle granules, ice-dam debris, and any nest materials. Avoid mid-winter — gutters with ice cannot be safely cleaned and most contractors won't attempt it. If you have a treed lot with mature silver maples, schedule a mid-summer (June) cleaning too — silver maple seeds (helicopters) clog gutters fast.
Ottawa's freeze-thaw climate creates ice dams when snow melts on a warm upper roof, runs down, then refreezes at the cold eaves. Clogged gutters dramatically worsen ice dams by trapping meltwater. Prevention checklist: (1) clean eavestroughs every fall, (2) ensure attic insulation is R-60+ with proper baffles for ventilation, (3) confirm soffit and ridge vents are clear, (4) consider heated downspout cables for shaded north-facing roof sections. Eavestrough cleaning is the cheapest single line i...
Quality gutter guards (micro-mesh stainless steel) cost $7-$12 per linear foot installed in Ottawa, so a typical 200-ft home runs $1,400-$2,400. They reduce but don't eliminate cleaning — fine particles, shingle granules, and pollen still accumulate and must be flushed annually. Skip cheap foam or plastic-grate guards; they clog faster than open gutters and have to be removed to clean underneath. Best ROI for treed lots with two-storey or three-storey homes where DIY cleaning isn't safe.
Check: (1) WSIB clearance (working at heights — non-negotiable), (2) minimum $2M liability insurance, (3) Working at Heights training certificate (mandatory in Ontario for any work above 3m), (4) at least 50+ Google reviews with 4.5+ rating, (5) flat per-home pricing (not hourly), (6) written 14-day clog-free guarantee, (7) clear scope: hand-removal not just blowing, downspout flush, and photo documentation of issues. Avoid door-to-door 'we noticed your gutters' pitches — they're often unlicense...
2026 Ottawa pricing: bungalow $135-$195, two-storey $195-$295, three-storey or steep-roof $275-$395. Add-ons like hanger re-securing, downspout extensions, and gutter guard inspection run $15-$85 each.
Minimum once per year (late October-November after leaf drop). Twice per year if you have mature maples, oaks, or silver maples on your lot — add a spring cleaning in April and possibly a June cleaning for silver maple seeds.
Single-storey bungalows with stable ground access — yes, with a quality A-frame ladder and a spotter. Two-storey or three-storey homes — hire a pro. Ontario requires Working at Heights training for any work above 3m, and falls from gutter cleaning are one of the most common serious home injuries.
Quality micro-mesh stainless guards ($7-$12/lin ft installed) reduce cleaning frequency by 60-80% but don't eliminate it — pollen, shingle granules, and fine debris still accumulate. Best ROI for two- or three-storey homes on treed lots. Skip cheap foam or plastic-grate guards.
It's one of three key factors. Clean gutters + R-60 attic insulation + clear soffit/ridge ventilation together dramatically reduce ice dam formation. Cleaning alone helps but isn't a complete solution if your attic is under-insulated.