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Gutter CleaningRockford, Illinois

Fall Gutter Checklist for Rockford Homes

Updated

Short answer

After the leaves are down in November: clean and flush the gutters, test every downspout, re-hang anything loose, point extensions more than 5 feet from the foundation and away from walks, and clear roof valleys before the first snow.

The checklist

  1. Wait for the leaves: most trees finish by mid to late November.
  2. Scoop and bag the gutters; follow your town's leaf rules.
  3. Flush each run and test each downspout at full flow.
  4. Re-hang sagging sections; ice will finish pulling loose ones off.
  5. Reseal leaking corners and end caps while the metal is dry.
  6. Point extensions away from the foundation and off driveways and walks, where water refreezes.
  7. Clear roof valleys and the areas behind chimneys.
  8. Check attic insulation if you had ice dams last winter (UMN Extension).

NOAA's normals put the average Rockford low at 30.5 degrees in November, so this is a short window. See fall gutter cleaning.

Sources: U.S. DOE Building Science Education, Foundation drain, gutters and downspouts; University of Minnesota Extension, Dealing with and preventing ice dams; NOAA NCEI, 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Rockford airport (USW00094822)

Quick answers

When should I do my fall gutter check?

Mid to late November, after most leaves fall and before steady freezing.

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