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Pre-Thanksgiving Gutter Check
The last leaves come down in November. Clear your gutters before the first hard freeze and the snow that follows, so meltwater has somewhere to go all winter.
Why clean gutters before Thanksgiving?
In New Hampshire, northern Massachusetts and Vermont, most trees have dropped their leaves by mid-to-late November. Gutters cleaned in October often fill right back up. A cleaning just before Thanksgiving catches that last drop before snow and ice lock it in place.
Allstate’s fall home maintenance checklist recommends cleaning gutters and downspouts at least twice a year. It warns that clogged gutters stop water draining away from the house, can pull away from the house under the weight of wet leaves, and can lead to ice dams in winter.
What happens if gutters freeze full of leaves?
- Ice dams: meltwater can’t drain, refreezes at the roof edge and can back up under shingles.
- Overflow at the foundation: water spills over the front edge and soaks the ground next to your basement.
- Sagging or pulled gutters: wet leaves plus ice add a lot of weight.
- Frozen downspouts: a clog at the elbow freezes solid and stays blocked until spring.
Your pre-Thanksgiving checklist
- Clear leaves, needles and roof grit from every gutter run.
- Flush each downspout and check the elbows for clogs.
- Make sure downspouts empty well away from the foundation (see Downspouts & Drainage).
- Look for sagging sections, loose hangers or leaking seams (8 signs your gutters need attention).
- Drain and disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor faucets before the freeze.
- Thinking about lights? Book holiday lighting after the gutters are clean.
What does a gutter cleaning cost?
A one-time cleaning is $500, and cleaning memberships start at $400 a year. Members also get 10% off winter services. See our cleaning packages or membership vs. one-time, or download the packages PDF.
Call (603) 899-2465 to book a free estimate. Phones are answered 24/7.
Pre-Thanksgiving Gutter FAQ
When should I clean my gutters in the fall?
Once most of the leaves have dropped, which in northern New England is usually mid-to-late November, and before the first sustained freeze. Homes with lots of trees may need an earlier cleaning too.
Is it too late to clean gutters after the first frost?
No. A light frost doesn’t stop a cleaning. What matters is getting the leaves out before snow and ice freeze them in place.
Do clean gutters prevent ice dams?
Clean gutters give meltwater a path off the roof, which helps. Ice dams themselves come from heat escaping into the attic, so clean gutters reduce the damage but don’t stop every ice dam.
How much does a gutter cleaning cost?
A one-time cleaning is $500. Cleaning memberships start at $400 a year and include 10% off winter services.
Do you clean gutters in winter?
Yes, when weather allows. If gutters are already frozen, our winter services team can help with ice dam removal and roof raking.
Reviewed by Chester Aho, Founder. Last updated: November 2026