Gutter Cleaning in Des Moines, Iowa
Gutters that overflow in a Des Moines rain usually have a packed downspout elbow, not a broken gutter. Our crew clears the troughs and downspouts, checks what is loose and tells you plainly what we found.
A cleanout that also tells you how your gutters are holding up
You see it from the kitchen window: water pouring over the gutter like a waterfall while the downspout barely trickles. Around Des Moines that usually means a wad of maple seeds or wet leaves jammed in the top elbow. Left alone, the trapped water soaks the fascia board, freezes into a heavy block in winter and pulls the hangers loose one by one.
When Flow Right cleans gutters, the crew scoops the troughs by hand, flushes each downspout until it runs free, and looks over the hangers, seams, end caps and outlets while we are up there. Gutters are the work we started on, so we notice the small failures that are easy to miss from the ground: a sagging run, a leaking miter, a downspout dumping right against the foundation.
Call or text (515) 901-3646 to set up a cleaning. Luke will ask how many stories you have, roughly how long the gutters are and what trees hang over the roof, then give you a firm price. If you manage rental houses or a church building in Des Moines, tell him how many properties you have and he will talk through what makes sense. Read more about our gutter cleaning and maintenance work.
What our Des Moines gutter cleaning covers
- Every gutter run cleared by hand
- Downspouts flushed and tested for flow
- Hangers, seams and end caps checked
- Clean yard and driveway when we leave
- Plain report of anything loose or leaking
- Gutter guard estimate on request
When Des Moines gutters fill up
Spring: helicopters and the first storms
Maple seeds are the first big load of the year on Des Moines roofs. Iowa State Extension reported a heavy maple seed crop in spring 2025, led by silver, red and hybrid maples, and says those mast years come every three to five years. The seeds sprout in standing gutter water if they sit long enough. A cleanout after the helicopters finish falling, and before the big storms of late spring, keeps the downspouts open when the heaviest rain arrives.
Summer: cottonwood season
Eastern cottonwood is native across Iowa and grows thick along streams and rivers. Its seeds ride on white fluff from May through August. That fluff felts together on top of screens and wraps around downspout openings, where it acts like a filter that catches everything else. If a cottonwood stands near your Des Moines house, a midsummer look at the outlets is worth more than another spring cleaning.
Fall: leaves before the freeze
In Polk County the median first fall freeze lands around October 10, with a usual range from late September to late October, per Iowa State Extension. Hard maple seeds mature in September and October too. The goal is to clean after most leaves are down but before water starts freezing in the gutter. Wet leaves that freeze in place turn a gutter into a heavy trough of ice by January. If that cleanout keeps landing on your calendar, ask about gutter guards for Des Moines homes.
Gutter Cleaning, Up Close
Real photos from Flow Right jobs. See more of our work or read about our full gutter cleaning service.
Des Moines Gutter Cleaning Questions
Not seeing yours? Call or text (515) 901-3646 and ask Luke.
Luke, Jaxx & Larry
A family business, third generation. Luke runs every estimate himself and Jaxx works the jobs with him. Larry, the shop dog, mostly supervises.
How often should gutters be cleaned in Des Moines?
Angi's baseline is twice a year, spring and fall, and up to four times a year under pines or heavy tree cover. Under Des Moines maples and cottonwoods, many homes need a spring and a fall cleaning plus a summer check of the downspouts. Our Iowa gutter cleaning guide breaks it down by tree type.
When is the last good time to clean gutters before a Des Moines winter?
Aim for late October or early November, after most leaves have dropped but before steady freezing. Polk County's median first freeze is around October 10, though the ground and gutters usually stay workable for a few weeks after that. Leaves that freeze into the gutter stay there until spring and add weight to every hanger.
Do you clean gutters for Des Moines rental homes and churches?
Yes. Rental owners, property managers and churches are among the people we already work for. Tell Luke how many buildings you have and how tall they are, and he will give you a clear price and talk through what makes sense for each property. Commercial and metal buildings are welcome too.
Why do my Des Moines gutters still overflow right after a cleaning?
If the troughs are clear and water still spills over, the cause is usually something else: a clogged underground line, too few downspouts, a gutter pitched the wrong way, or a 5-inch gutter on a roof that needs 6-inch. We check for those during a cleaning and tell you what we see, so you are not paying for cleanings that cannot fix the real problem.
Des Moines & Polk County
We cover Des Moines and the communities around it, including:
Seamless Gutters in Des Moines
Seamless 5 and 6 inch gutters formed on site, hung on hidden hangers, in any color.
See the Des Moines pageGutter Guards in Des Moines
Micro-mesh, LeafFX and Gutter Topper leaf protection fitted to the trees over your house.
See the Des Moines pageGutter Repair in Des Moines
Leaks, sagging runs, loose downspouts and storm damage fixed, with honest repair or replace advice.
See the Des Moines pageGutter Replacement in Des Moines
Tear-off, fascia check and new seamless gutters sized for how your roof sheds water.
See the Des Moines pageAll Services in Des Moines
Everything we do in Des Moines and Polk County.
Des Moines overviewPolk County
Gutters, siding and windows across Polk County.
County overviewGutter Cleaning & Maintenance
Gutters and downspouts cleared by hand, flushed and checked by a crew that installs gutters.
The full serviceNeed Gutter Cleaning in Des Moines?
Call or text Luke, or send a few details. Estimates are free.