Should I clean my roof & gutters
myself — or hire a pro?
Answer 5 quick questions about your home and get a clear, personalised recommendation — with the reasons behind it and your next steps.
How many storeys is your home?
Height is the single biggest safety factor in roof and gutter cleaning.
What is your roof pitch?
Steep roofs require specialist safety equipment that most homeowners do not own.
What type of roof do you have?
Some roof materials require specialist techniques that are easy to get wrong.
How comfortable are you working at heights?
Be honest — falls from ladders are one of the most common causes of serious home injury.
What is the current condition of your roof and gutters?
Existing damage changes the risk profile of any cleaning work.
DIY or professional — the full breakdown
The quiz gives you a fast answer. Here is the complete reasoning so you can make a confident decision.
- Single storey — standard ladder access, manageable height
- Asphalt shingles or metal — DIY-friendly with soft wash
- Gentle pitch — walkable with non-slip footwear
- Light debris only — leaves and twigs, nothing compacted
- Good condition — routine maintenance only
- Comfortable at heights — confident on a ladder
- Two storeys or higher — fall risk increases dramatically
- Steep pitch — requires harness and safety equipment
- Tile, cedar shake or slate — easily damaged by incorrect technique
- Lichen present — requires specialist chemical treatment
- Existing damage — needs professional assessment alongside cleaning
- Not comfortable at heights — leading cause of ladder accidents
What does each option actually cost?
The cost gap between DIY and professional cleaning is often smaller than homeowners expect — especially when factoring in equipment, time and damage risk.
How to clean your roof and gutters safely
Method matters as much as effort. Follow these steps to get a good result without damaging your roof.
Never work alone
Have someone with you at all times — at ground level to stabilise the ladder, pass tools, and call for help if needed. This is non-negotiable.
Use soft washing — not a pressure washer
Pressure washing asphalt shingles strips granules and voids most warranties. Soft washing uses a low-pressure chemical application that kills biological growth without damaging the surface.
Clean gutters before the roof
Roof cleaning washes debris into the gutters. If you clean gutters first then roof, you only need to clean gutters once. Work from the closed end toward the downspout, scooping into a bucket.
Flush downspouts after clearing
Run a hose from the top of each downspout to confirm it flows freely. If water backs up, there is a compacted blockage that needs clearing before the next heavy rain.
Document everything you find
Photograph anything unusual — cracked shingles, rust at flashings, sagging gutters. Use our free inspection checklist to record findings systematically.