What clogged gutters actually do
Overflowing gutters dump water at the foundation (wet basement), run down the siding (algae and staining), and freeze into ice dams at the eaves that back meltwater under the shingles. A seasonal clean is the cheapest way to prevent all three.
Water pouring over the front edge
If water is cascading over the front lip of the gutter in a rain instead of out the downspout, the gutter is clogged. That overflow rots the fascia behind the gutter and dumps water at the foundation.
Plants growing in the gutter
If you see weeds or grass sprouting on the roof edge, the gutter is so full of debris and moisture that seeds have germinated. It is past due — the extra weight also pulls the gutter off the fascia.
Sagging or pulled gutters
A gutter pulling away from the house is full of wet debris and the fasteners are failing. The fix is a clean plus a re-secure of the hangers — re-hanging without cleaning just loads the fasteners again.
Stains on the siding under the gutters
Dark streaks down the siding under the gutters are algae feeding on the runoff that overflows a clogged gutter. A gutter clean plus a siding soft wash is the full fix.
When to clean vs. repair
A seasonal clean is the answer for debris and clogs. If the gutter is sagging, leaking at the seams, or the fascia is rotted behind it, that is a repair — and we will flag it in the condition report that comes with every clean.