Clogged gutters can cause water damage, foundation problems, and costly repairs that homeowners often discover too late. Finding a reliable service to maintain this essential part of your home’s drainage system requires research into both the company’s reputation and the quality of work they deliver.
This guide explains what Brothers Services (commonly known as Brothers Who Do Gutters) offers, how to evaluate gutter service providers, and what you need to know about gutter installation, cleaning, and maintenance to protect your home.
What Is Brothers Who Do Gutters?
Brothers Who Do Gutters is a franchise-based gutter installation and maintenance company operating across multiple regions in North America. The company provides gutter cleaning, repair, installation, and the addition of gutter guards, serving residential properties with a focus on preventing water damage through proper drainage management.
Understanding Gutter Services and Maintenance Needs
Gutters channel rainwater away from your roof, siding, windows, doors, and foundation. When they fail, water can seep into basements, erode landscaping, rot fascia boards, and create conditions for mold growth.
Regular maintenance prevents these problems, but the frequency depends on your surroundings. Homes near trees may need cleaning three to four times per year, while properties in open areas might require service only once or twice annually.
Signs You Need Gutter Service
Watch for these indicators that your gutters require attention:
- Water spilling over the sides during rain
- Sagging sections or gutters pulling away from the fascia
- Visible plant growth or debris buildup
- Water stains on siding beneath the gutter line
- Pooling water near your foundation
- Ice dams forming along the roof edge in winter
- Rust spots, holes, or cracks in the gutter material
Services Typically Offered by Gutter Companies
Professional gutter services go beyond basic cleaning. Understanding what’s available helps you choose the right provider and service level for your home’s needs.
Gutter Cleaning
Cleaning removes leaves, twigs, dirt, shingle grit, and other debris that blocks water flow. Technicians should flush downspouts, check for proper pitch, and inspect for damage while cleaning.
Expect this service to take one to three hours depending on your home’s size and gutter condition. Pricing typically ranges by linear foot or as a flat rate based on home size, though these costs vary significantly by region and provider.
Gutter Installation and Replacement
New gutter installation becomes necessary when existing gutters are damaged beyond repair, improperly sized, or absent from new construction. Material choices include aluminum, copper, vinyl, steel, and zinc, each with different durability, cost, and maintenance requirements.
Seamless gutters reduce leak points and offer a cleaner appearance than sectional gutters. These require on-site fabrication with specialized equipment that professional installers bring to your property.
Gutter Guards and Protection Systems
Gutter guards reduce the frequency of cleaning by blocking debris while allowing water to enter. Screen guards, mesh systems, reverse-curve covers, and foam inserts represent common options, each with advantages and limitations.
No system eliminates maintenance entirely. Small debris, pollen, and shingle grit can still accumulate, and you’ll need to verify that guards don’t create ice dam problems in cold climates or void your roof warranty.
Repair Services
Common repairs include reattaching loose sections, sealing leaks, replacing damaged hangers or spikes, correcting improper slope, and fixing separated seams. Catching these issues early prevents more extensive damage to your home’s structure.
Ask whether repairs come with a warranty and how long that coverage lasts. Different materials and repair methods offer varying longevity.
Evaluating Gutter Service Providers
Not all gutter companies deliver the same quality, reliability, or value. These factors help you compare options and make an informed choice.
Licensing and Insurance
Verify that any contractor carries both liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Gutter work involves ladders, roofs, and potential property damage. If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you may face significant liability.
Some states and municipalities require specific licenses for gutter installation or home improvement work. Check your local requirements and confirm the company complies.
Experience and Reputation
Look for companies with established track records in your area. Online reviews, Better Business Bureau ratings, and referrals from neighbors provide insight into reliability, work quality, and how the company handles problems.
Pay attention to patterns in feedback rather than isolated complaints. Notice whether the company responds professionally to negative reviews and resolves issues.
Estimates and Pricing Transparency
Request detailed written estimates from at least three providers. The estimate should specify materials, labor, timeline, payment schedule, and what’s included in the quoted price.
Be cautious of quotes that seem significantly lower than others without clear explanation. Quality materials, proper insurance, and experienced technicians cost more than budget alternatives that may fail prematurely.
Warranty Coverage
Ask about warranties on both materials and workmanship. Manufacturer warranties on gutter materials typically range from ten years to lifetime coverage depending on the product, while workmanship warranties vary widely by company.
Get warranty terms in writing and understand what actions might void coverage. Some warranties require regular professional maintenance or specific cleaning methods.
What to Expect During Gutter Service
Professional gutter work follows a systematic process that protects both your property and the workers. Knowing what should happen helps you recognize quality service.
Preparation and Safety Measures
Technicians should use stable ladders with stabilizer bars to avoid damaging gutters or siding. Reputable companies use fall protection equipment and avoid working during high winds or storms.
Expect workers to protect landscaping, move outdoor furniture if needed, and tarp areas where debris will be collected. They should also verify downspout drainage and ensure water flows away from your foundation.
The Cleaning Process
Thorough cleaning involves removing all debris by hand or with a specialized scoop, flushing gutters and downspouts with water to clear remaining material and check for leaks, and bagging debris for disposal rather than dumping it in your landscaping.
Technicians should inspect gutter hangers, check for proper pitch toward downspouts, and report any damage or concerns they discover.
Installation Standards
Proper gutter installation requires correct sizing for your roof area and local rainfall intensity. Gutters should slope approximately one-quarter inch per ten feet of run toward downspouts to ensure water doesn’t pool.
Hangers or brackets should be spaced no more than 24 inches apart in most climates, with closer spacing in areas with heavy snow. Downspouts need adequate capacity and proper placement to move water away from the foundation.
Maintaining Your Gutters Between Professional Services
Simple homeowner maintenance extends the time between professional cleanings and helps you spot problems early. These tasks require only basic tools and common sense safety precautions.
Safe DIY Inspection
You can check gutters from the ground using binoculars after heavy rain. Look for overflow, sagging, or separation from the house.
If you choose to climb a ladder, use proper ladder safety techniques, never work alone, and avoid reaching beyond your center of balance. Many homeowners find that hiring professionals is safer and more efficient than DIY gutter work.
Seasonal Considerations
Schedule gutter service in late spring after trees finish dropping seeds and flowers, and again in late fall after leaves have dropped. Homes with pine trees or heavy pollen may need additional mid-season cleaning.
Before winter, ensure gutters drain freely to prevent ice dams. In spring, check that winter ice and debris haven’t damaged gutters or created separation from the fascia.
When to Call a Professional Immediately
Some situations require prompt professional attention to prevent serious damage. Contact a gutter specialist if you notice gutters pulling completely away from the house, large holes or rust-through sections, water entering your basement or crawlspace during rain, or foundation cracks that correspond with gutter overflow areas.
Never attempt gutter repairs on a multi-story home without proper equipment and training. The risk of serious injury outweighs any cost savings.
Alternatives and Supplementary Drainage Solutions
Gutters work best as part of a complete water management system. Other components help protect your home from water damage.
Downspout Extensions and Underground Drainage
Downspouts should discharge water at least four to six feet from your foundation. Extensions, splash blocks, or underground drainage pipes carry water to appropriate drainage areas.
In areas with poor drainage or clay soil, consider installing a dry well or connecting downspouts to a rain garden designed to absorb runoff.
Roof and Fascia Condition
Damaged fascia boards won’t support gutters properly. Before installing new gutters, address any rot or deterioration in the wood substrate.
Roof edges should have proper drip edge flashing that directs water into gutters rather than behind them. Missing or damaged flashing allows water to reach areas gutters are meant to protect.
Making Your Decision
Choosing a gutter service provider balances cost, quality, convenience, and long-term value. A company with strong local references, proper credentials, transparent pricing, and solid warranties typically delivers better results than the lowest bidder.
Start by getting your gutters inspected and cleaned if you haven’t done so recently. This baseline service reveals the current condition and helps you plan for repairs or replacement if needed.
For more practical guidance on maintaining your home and property, explore additional home improvement resources that help you make informed decisions. You might also appreciate insights on household responsibilities as you plan your home maintenance priorities.