Gutter & drainage in Los Angeles
Gutter cleaning, repairs, guards, downspout extensions, surface drainage. LA gets 9 months of dust-dry, then 3 months of atmospheric rivers. Prep before the rain starts.
What LA gutter and drainage work covers
LA rainfall is lumpy. Most years it rains under 15 inches, 80% of it between November and March, and half of that in 3–5 atmospheric river events. The rest of the year: dry dust, jacaranda flowers, palm seed pods, and Santa Ana wind debris filling up gutters that nobody thinks about. Then the first big storm hits and overflowing gutters send water down the stucco instead of down the downspout.
Our LA pros handle: seasonal gutter clean-out (ideally October–November), gutter leak repair and resealing, downspout extensions (daylight or to drain), gutter guard install, and surface drainage triage (downspouts dumping into landscape vs. away from foundation).
What we handle
How it works
Photos of gutter condition, drip-line, overflow marks. Mention where water pools or stains siding.
Debris removal by hand, flush-test with hose, check slope, inspect for leaks, seams, fasteners.
Reseal seams, patch holes, add downspout extensions, install guards if needed. 1–3 hours most standard homes.
Los Angeles specifics
Jacaranda + palm debris: LA\'s signature street trees dump massive amounts of debris — jacaranda blossoms in May–June, palm seed pods + fronds year-round. Two cleanings per year is reasonable in heavy-tree LA neighborhoods (Hancock Park, West Adams, Silver Lake).
Flat roofs (mid-century + modern LA homes): flat roofs have scuppers + internal drains, not edge gutters. These clog with debris and back up water onto the roof. Needs annual inspection; different specialty than standard gutters.
Downspouts dumping at the foundation: in drought-conditioned LA, nobody notices when a downspout has been dumping 200 gallons at the foundation for 10 years — until a big storm floods the crawl space or undermines the slab. We extend all downspouts at least 6 ft from the foundation, or tie into a French drain.
French drain basics: for hillside LA homes (Hollywood Hills, Silver Lake, Eagle Rock), downspouts should route into a French drain to daylight (lower on the hill). We install basic French drains; complex site drainage (engineered) is a separate contractor.
Pre-storm check-ups: if an atmospheric river is in the 10-day forecast, book a quick clean-out + function check. Most LA homes only need 30–45 min. After the storm is too late — you\'re already taking damage.
Typical gutter & drainage pricing in LA
Pricing by linear feet + complexity.
Pricing is informational. <!-- TODO: DENIS — verify ranges -->
Frequently asked questions
When should I clean my gutters in LA?
Two times per year ideally: once in October/early November before the first atmospheric river, once in spring after jacaranda bloom drop. Heavy-tree neighborhoods (Hancock Park, Silver Lake, Los Feliz): three times is safer.
Will gutter guards stop needing cleaning entirely?
No gutter guard stops all debris. Micro-mesh is closest (blocks 98%) but fine pollen/dust + palm seed pods still accumulate over 2–3 years. Guards extend cleaning interval from 6 months to 18–24 months.
My downspouts dump at the foundation — how big a deal?
A big deal over time. Each downspout dumps 200–500 gallons per storm at the corner. Erodes soil, can undermine slab or crawl space, causes landscape mess. We extend all downspouts to drain 6+ ft from foundation, or tie to a drain system.
Can you install gutters where none exist?
Full new gutter runs (custom seamless aluminum) is a gutter specialist trade — we refer. Small section adds (single run, sectional gutter) we can handle. Most LA homes have some gutters; the question is usually upgrade or repair, not new.
What about water pooling in my yard near the house?
Usually drainage problem, not gutter. Options: regrade the landscape (contractor), French drain (we can install basic), or surface channel drain (landscape drainage specialist). We'll assess and recommend.
Our 2-story home has gutters 25 ft up — do you do those?
Yes — up to standard 2-story (~20–25 ft) with ladders. Higher / 3-story+ or steep-roof access needs specialty gutter contractor with articulating ladders or lifts.
How long does a pre-storm check-up take?
Standard single-story LA home: 45–90 minutes including clean + flush-test. 2-story: 1.5–2.5 hours. Price breakdown same as standard cleaning.
Related services in Los Angeles
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