Do you ever come across a situation when you can’t decide between cleaning or replacing a roof gutter? You might think that the commercial gutter cleaning will rid away the deep-down debris. Especially when the problem demands gutter replacement and vice versa.
You’re not the only one to think this way. Millions of commercial property owners consider regular gutter cleaning as a costly affair. This leads to considering a long-term solution like gutter replacement. However, there are specific situations when cleaning a gutter is more ideal over replacement and vice versa.
In this blog, you will discover pros and cons along with the situations when each of the commercial gutter cleaning and replacement is the right choice. So, keep reading the blog till the end.
Commercial Gutter Cleaning
Cleaning your office or retail store roof gutter is not just about keeping your house clean. But rather, it is also about preventing water damage throughout the house exterior. During a commercial gutter cleaning service, you must expect your professional to do the following:
- Inspecting the gutter’s condition.
- Checking water flow through the downpipe.
- Evaluating the roof’s cleanliness.
- Using the necessary safety precautions.
- Wearing the appropriate safety gears.
- Identifying the correct tools and equipment.
- Measuring the right angle and cleaning pressure.
- Running a post-cleaning check.
Pros and Cons
Here are some benefits and drawbacks of choosing a commercial gutter cleaning service.
Pros:
- Removes leaves, hair, bird droppings, metal junk, and loose debris efficiently.
- Unblocks the gutter downpipe to its core and allows smooth water flow.
- Prevents flooding damage to the cladded walls, pavements, and fascia boards.
- Improves the efficiency of commercial gutter systems.
- Regular cleaning maintains the delicate gutter structure and improves its lifespan.
Cons:
- Ineffective as a DIY solution.
- The same gutter cleaning technique does not work on every size, condition, and material.
- Frequent cleaning requirements can increase business disruptions.
When to Hire a Commercial Gutter Cleaning Expert?
Not every situation requires cleaning; here is when to call a professional commercial gutter cleaning company.
- If there is a gutter blockage and the water is overflowing from both or one of the sides.
- You can clearly see leaves, piles of dust, and other waste over the gutter.
- If the water is pooling over the gutter due to uneven slope or blockages.
- When the gutters are showing signs of sagging due to the excess weight of the debris.
- If you haven’t scheduled gutter cleaning maintenance from the past 6+ months.
Commercial Gutter Replacement
Replacing a commercial office or store gutter is another effective solution beyond the cleaning. It is usually helpful when water or other elements affect the functionality of the gutter. In simple terms, it is the process of removing old, damaged, or failing gutters from a building and installing new ones.
Here is all you should expect from a professional gutter replacement service.
- Inspecting cracks, leaks, rust, or sagging sections over, under, and beneath the gutter.
- Analysing the problem areas in the section or on the entire gutter structure.
- Dismantling and disposing of old gutter materials like aluminium, steel, etc.
- Installing a new gutter that fits the roof’s pitch and building’s layout.
- Ensuring proper slope and alignment with the downpipe.
- Installing gutters guards or leaf screens for extra protection.
- Repairing fascia boards, if needed.
Pros and Cons
Gutter replacement over commercial gutter cleaning brings many perks and downsides as follows:
Pros:
- Improves drainage from the roof and foundation.
- Prevents water damage from leaks and corrosion to the landscaping, ceilings, and foundation.
- Enhances the visual appearance of the building.
- New-age gutter systems featuring modern and efficient materials reduce repairs and cleaning frequency.
- Improves safety for visitors, customers, staff, and the general public.
- Long-term and cost-effective solution to repeated gutter maintenance problems.
Cons:
- Full replacement is costly for large enterprise or multi-storey buildings.
- Rainfall can impact the service schedule.
- Potential hidden costs like rotting fascia or cracking roof edges from removing an old gutter yourself.
- Need for professional expertise only for new installations and its alignment with the existing roof and downpipes.
When to Choose a Commercial Gutter Replacement Service?
Choosing a gutter replacement over commercial gutter cleaning becomes necessary when you see the following signs:
- If you see persistent leaks even after cleaning or sealing the gutter.
- If a metal gutter is showing excess rust and causing structural damage.
- If the gutter seems to be arching below the foundational roofline, it requires full replacement.
- If you’re calling a gutter cleaning expert every few months, replacing them is the right solution.
- If you’re renovating or redesigning your roof, replacing gutters becomes mandatory to align with the new design.
Additional Tips:
- Schedule professional inspections twice a year—ideally before heavy rainfall seasons.
- Install gutter guards to minimise debris buildup and reduce cleaning frequency.
- Document all gutter maintenance and repairs for warranty or compliance purposes.
- Choose corrosion-resistant materials like Colorbond or aluminium for long-term durability.
- Avoid DIY fixes; improper slope adjustments can worsen drainage issues.
- Ensure all downpipes are connected to a proper stormwater system.
- During replacement, consider upsizing gutter capacity for better rainwater management.
- Always check if your building insurance covers water damage from gutter failure.
Final Words
We hope you found this blog useful. As you see, commercial gutter cleaning is the best solution for commercial roofs seeing excess waste, water logging problems, and potential structural damage.
However, gutter replacement is ideal when repairing or cleaning gutters does not solve a problem. In a few cases, gutter replacement service becomes crucial if the gutter is worn out and disbalances the roof’s foundation.
You’ll need to consider each of the services as per your gutter’s requirements and budget. If you are considering the services already, contact Exterior Clean Melbourne for affordable and effective cleaning measures.
