Gutter cleaning, repair and new gutters in Durham, NC

When to clean gutters in Durham

The first fall frost comes around November 4 in a typical year here, and the last spring frost around April 2 (median dates, NOAA normals). Booking the fall cleaning after the first frost, once the trees over the roof are bare, catches the season’s drop in one visit; the spring cleaning comes after the pollen and catkins are down.

When to clean gutters explains how the trees over a roof change the schedule.

Gutter and downspout size for Durham rain

The short, hard downpour is what a gutter is sized for. In Durham the five-minute rain expected about once in ten years falls at 7.20 inches an hour (NOAA Atlas 14 Volume 2). At that rate one 2-by-3-inch downspout drains about 1,000 square feet of roof and one 3-by-4-inch downspout about 2,000, by the rule in the Copper Development Association’s design handbook. Try your own roof in the gutter and downspout calculator, which starts from this figure.

The houses in Durham

Half the homes in Durham were built by 1994, 31% before 1980 (ACS 2020–2024). Houses that age have often had their gutters replaced once already; if not, the original runs and the boards behind them deserve a close look.

52% of households own their home, and 51% of homes are detached houses, 10% townhouses. If an association maintains the exterior, the gutters may be its job rather than yours; check before calling.

Hiring in North Carolina

North Carolina licenses general contractors for projects of $40,000 or more (G.S. 87-1). An ordinary gutter job falls well below that, so no state license is required for it. Ask for proof of liability insurance and a written quote; for a larger project, look the company up with the licensing board.

Source: N.C. General Statutes § 87-1. Look-up: NC Licensing Board for General Contractors, license search.