What the Inspection Covers
An inspection is a trained eye on your entire gutter system, top to bottom. We walk the full roofline and check every part that matters:
Gutter runs. Pitch, sagging, standing water, rust spots, split seams, dents from ladders or limbs. We note the gutter size and profile too — that decides which guards fit.
Hangers. Type, spacing, and condition. Spike-and-ferrule hangers work loose over time; hidden hangers hold better. We count what is there and what is missing.
Fascia boards. The wood behind the gutter. We probe for soft spots and rot, because hangers are only as good as what they screw into.
Downspouts. Count, condition, connections, and where they discharge. Too few downspouts and foundation-line discharge are the two findings we flag most.
Tree cover. What hangs over the roof — oaks, maples, pines — and how much debris each section takes. This decides the guard recommendation.
Water patterns. Stains on the siding, washed-out mulch beds, green algae lines — the evidence of where water has been going wrong.
Why Inspect Before You Buy Guards
Guards are a real purchase. An inspection makes it an informed one. Without it, you are guessing about the condition of the system the guards will hide for years.
The inspection answers the three questions that matter: Are the gutters sound enough for guards? Do they need repair first? And which guard fits the trees and the roof? With those answered, the written estimate is for the right work — not a guess, not an upsell.
It also catches the quiet problems. A homeowner sees a gutter that looks fine from the ground. We see the low spot holding water, the seam starting to open, the fascia softening behind the third hanger. Catching those now is the difference between a small repair and a rotted board later.
What the Written Report Looks Like
You get the findings in writing, in plain language. Each section of the house gets a verdict: sound, needs repair, or needs replacement. Repairs are itemized with prices. The guard recommendation names the guard type and why it fits your trees.
The report also says what you do not need. If the gutters are sound and the tree cover is light, the report says so — even if that means a smaller job for us. We would rather earn the next referral than sell the wrong guard.
Our Inspection Process, Step by Step
- Walk and photograph. We walk the full exterior, ladder up where needed, and document what we find.
- Hands-on checks. Hangers get tugged. Fascia gets probed. Downspouts get a flow check where possible.
- Tree and roof read. We note species, overhang, roof pitch, and valley layout — the inputs to the guard choice.
- Written report. Findings, photos of anything notable, itemized repair pricing if needed, and the guard recommendation.
- Your decision. The report is yours. Take your time. The estimate stands while you decide.
When to Get an Inspection
Before buying guards. Always. It is the foundation the whole decision sits on.
After a big storm. Limbs hit gutters. Wind lifts sections. An inspection after a rough storm season catches damage early.
When buying a home. Home inspectors glance at gutters. We look properly. A pre-purchase gutter inspection has saved buyers from inheriting rotted fascia more than once.
When something looks off. Overflow stains, plants in the gutter, water at the foundation — any of these earns a look.
What It Costs
The inspection is part of our free on-site estimate. We do the full roofline check, write the report, and price the work — all free, with no obligation. Every project is different — contact us for a free written estimate.
What the Report Covers
Every inspection ends with a written report, not a verbal okay. It lists each section of gutter, what we found, and what we recommend — with photos. You keep the report whether you hire us for the work or not.
The report grades urgency honestly. Some findings need action before the next rain. Some are watch items for next year. We label each one so you can decide without pressure.
Inspections also catch the slow problems: gutters pulling away a quarter inch a year, sealant drying out at the corners, splash blocks that shifted after a storm. None of these look urgent from the ground. All of them are cheap to fix when found early.