Santa Barbara Soft Wash
Gutter Cleaning in Santa Barbara
Clean, clear, and flowing before the rains come. We clear the debris that clogs your gutters and can brighten the black streaks off the front while we're at it.
Or call 805-689-4079. I'll take a look and send you a number.
4-6
times longer lasting than pressure washing
2-3X
less water than pressure washing
4.9
stars across 44 Google reviews
When to Clean Gutters in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara gets almost all of its rain between November and March, so the window that matters is October: get the gutters cleared before the first real storm, not after it overflows. If your home sits under coast live oaks, eucalyptus, or pines, plan on a second cleaning in late spring. Oaks drop leaves year-round, eucalyptus sheds strips of bark that wedge in downspouts, and pine needles mat into a felt that water can't get through. Homes on the Riviera, in Mission Canyon, and up the Montecito foothills tend to need the twice-a-year schedule; flat, open lots near the beach can often go once.
Clogged Gutters Cost More Than You Think
Your gutters have one job: move water away from your home. When they fill with leaves and debris, water spills over the side instead, and that runoff goes straight to the places you don't want it. Overflowing gutters lead to fascia rot, foundation problems, stained siding, and soggy landscaping. It's one of the cheapest maintenance tasks a homeowner can do, and one of the most expensive to ignore. Getting it done before the rainy season starts is the whole game.
What's Included
- Clear all debris, leaves, and buildup from inside the gutters by hand
- Flush the downspouts and confirm water actually flows through
- Check for sagging, gaps, and loose sections while up there
- Bag and haul away the debris, no mess left behind
- Optional gutter brightening to remove the black streaks on the gutter face
Those Black Stripes Aren't Dirt
You've seen the dark vertical streaks running down the front of gutters. Most people assume they're dirt or algae and that a good wash will take them off. They won't. Those "tiger stripes" are oxidation, a chemical bonding of pollutants to the aluminum finish, and a regular house wash or even pressure washing does nothing to them. Removing them takes a specific soft wash brightening treatment applied by hand. If your gutters still look streaky after everything else on the house is clean, this is why, and it's a quick add-on that makes the whole home look years newer.
Clean Gutters Are Part of Defensible Space
In the foothills and canyons, gutters full of dry leaves and needles are a bed of kindling at roof level, and wind-blown embers are how most homes in a wildfire actually ignite. Cal Fire and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department both list clearing roofs and gutters of dead vegetation as a baseline defensible-space step. A fall gutter cleaning handles the rain problem and the ember problem in one visit.
What Affects the Price
Every quote is specific to the house, but four things drive it: the total length of gutter, how many stories, how steep or fragile the roof is (clay and concrete tile take more care than composition shingle), and how packed the gutters are. Gutter guards add time because debris collects on top and underneath them. Send a couple of photos with your request and I can usually give you a firm number without a site visit.
How It Works
- 1
Clear the gutters
All debris removed by hand, start to finish.
- 2
Flush and test
Downspouts flushed and checked so water flows where it should.
- 3
Inspect
I flag any sagging, separation, or problem spots I see while I'm up there.
- 4
Brighten if you want it
Optional soft wash treatment to lift the black oxidation streaks off the gutter face.
Licensed California contractor #1105057, insured to $2,000,000, and 4.9 stars across 44 Google reviews. Every job is backed by the Make It Right Promise: if you're not happy with any part of it, I come back and make it right.
What Santa Barbara Homeowners Say About Our Gutter Cleaning
Amy Colton
Sep 2026 · Google review
★★★★★
Zac provided excellent service for us! It was a 2 day job to clean the roof & gutters of our home and guest cottage, and Zac worked tirelessly in 100 degree heat to get it done. He even took photos with a drone and provided a certificate to present to our insurance company. He did a fantastic job at a fair price. If you are looking for someone with integrity, who is hard-working and takes pride in his work, we highly recommend Zac from Santa Barbara Soft Wash!
Len Sasso
Jul 2026 · Google review
★★★★★
Zac did a fantastic job. We needed three things: gutters cleaned, marks on house-paint scrubbed off and windows cleaned. He did all three meticulously as well as being friendly and easy to talk to.
Joseph Lipman
Aug 2025 · Google review
★★★★★
Zachary was very conscientious about communicating, arriving on time, and doing a thorough cleaniing job on our siding, gutters, windows and concrete driveway+patio, all for a reasonable price.
When we're done with your home, we hope you'll add yours.
Common Questions About Gutter Cleaning
How often should I have my gutters cleaned?
Twice a year is right for most Santa Barbara homes, once in spring and once in fall before the rains. Homes under heavy tree cover may need it more often.
Can you clean gutters on a clay or concrete tile roof?
Yes, and it's most of what I do here. Tile is brittle and cracks under foot traffic, so I work from the ladder and keep weight off the roof edge. The gutters get cleared, the tiles stay intact.
I have gutter guards. Do they still need cleaning?
Usually, yes. Guards slow the leaves down but fine debris, pine needles, and roof grit still get through, and the guard itself collects a mat on top that blocks water. I clean on top of and under the guards and let you know if any sections aren't doing their job.
Why are my gutters still streaky after a house wash?
Those black streaks are oxidation bonded to the aluminum, not dirt or algae, so a normal wash won't remove them. They need a specific gutter brightening treatment, which I can do as an add-on.
Can you clean gutters without damaging them?
Yes. I clear debris by hand and rinse at low pressure. High pressure can dent gutters and loosen brackets, so it's the wrong tool for the job.
How much does it cost?
Every home is different, so we quote each job individually, free, fast, and with no obligation. Most quotes go out within one business day.
The Make It Right Promise: if you're not happy with any part of the job, we come back and make it right. Simple as that.
Other Services
- House WashingGentle, low pressure cleaning that lifts years of coastal buildup off stucco, siding, and paint, without stripping or etching anything.Learn more
- Roof CleaningThe low pressure method roofing manufacturers actually recommend. Removes the black streaks and moss without knocking granules off your shingles or voiding your warranty.Learn more
- Window CleaningStreak free glass, inside and out, so the coastal light actually gets through.Learn more
Get It Cleared Before the First Rain
Free quote, fast reply, and a finished job backed by the Make It Right Promise.