Gutter Pressure Washing
Exterior gutter cleaning across the North East. Remove black tiger streaks from fascias, restore bright white. Free quotes.
Black streaks running down the outside of your gutters and fascias are one of the most common eyesores on a tired-looking house exterior. They're not just dirt — they're a film of pollutants, algae and oxidation that bonds to the uPVC and won't shift with a wipe. Our gutter pressure washing service tackles the outside of the gutter and the fascia behind, restoring the bright white look that makes a house feel cared for.
Gutter exterior cleaning is different from gutter clearance. Clearance is about getting the leaves and debris out of the inside (see our gutter cleaning page); exterior cleaning is about cleaning the outer face. Both can be done in one visit, and most customers have us do both at the same time.
Why exterior gutters get streaked
The black tiger-stripe streaks on uPVC gutters and fascias come from a combination of three things: dirt and pollution from the air, algae and microbial growth on the textured plastic surface, and overflow from blocked or sagging gutters during heavy rain. The texture of the plastic holds onto all of this, and once it's established, simple wiping won't clear it.
The fix is chemistry plus low-pressure rinsing — the same soft-wash approach we use on render and uPVC. The biocide kills the algae at the root and lifts the dirt; the rinse takes everything away cleanly.
Our process
We start with a quick inspection — both the gutters themselves (any sag, leaks, cracked joints) and the fascia behind. We rinse the surrounding area to protect plants from any soft-wash drift. We then apply a soft-wash treatment with a low-pressure pump, working from the bottom up to avoid streaking. The product is left to dwell for 10–20 minutes, then we rinse top-down with clean water.
While we're up at gutter level we also clean the underside of soffits and the bargeboards, which usually need it just as much as the gutters. The whole job is done from the ground or a small step, no ladders against the house in most cases.
Common combinations
Gutter exterior cleaning is rarely done in isolation — it's usually combined with one or more of:
- Gutter clearance — clearing the inside of the gutter. Doing both at once means one visit instead of two.
- Fascia and soffit cleaning — same soft-wash treatment, all done together.
- uPVC frame cleaning — window frames and door frames get the same algae buildup.
- Roof clean — comprehensive house exterior in one visit.
- Conservatory clean — same soft-wash equipment, perfect to do at the same time.
Booking multiple services together saves money and gets the whole house exterior looking fresh in one visit.
Will it damage my gutters?
No — soft-washing is much gentler than rain in a storm. We don't direct any pressure at the joints, brackets or sealant. Our biocide is safe for uPVC and is used at concentrations that lift algae without affecting the plastic itself.
Where we find existing damage — failed brackets, leaking joints, cracked sections — we'll point it out so you can have it repaired separately. We don't cause damage by cleaning, but we will tell you about damage that's already there.
How often?
For most houses in the North East, exterior gutter cleaning every 18 months to two years keeps things looking fresh. Houses on busy roads or under trees may want it annually; rural and exposed houses can stretch to three years. We're happy to set up a maintenance schedule and just turn up.
If you have a big event coming up — selling the house, hosting a wedding, a planned visit from family — we can usually fit you in within a couple of weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between gutter cleaning and gutter pressure washing?
Gutter cleaning (clearance) is removing leaves and debris from inside the gutter. Gutter pressure washing is cleaning the outside of the gutter to remove black streaks and discolouration. Both are commonly done together.
Will it damage my uPVC?
No — we use low-pressure soft washing with uPVC-safe chemistry. Damage from professional soft washing is essentially zero.
How long will the result last?
Two to three years for most properties. The biocide kills algae spores so regrowth is much slower than after a basic wash.
Do you do the soffits and fascias too?
Yes — these are usually included in the same visit as standard. The whole eaves area gets cleaned together.
Do I need to be home?
No — provided we have access to an outside tap and the area we're cleaning, you can leave us to it. We send a finished-job photo afterwards.