By Vitaliy, Lead Technician at DT Cleaning | April 15, 2026
Key takeaways:
- A cedar shake roof was shedding wood into the gutters, blocking every downspout in North York
- Condo windows in Toronto went seven years without cleaning, with post-construction tape baked onto the glass
- Both jobs required specialized techniques that previous contractors missed
- Every DT Cleaning visit includes a full property assessment, not just the service you booked
Two calls came in on the same day. One homeowner in North York had water pouring over every downspout. A woman in Toronto could barely see through her balcony windows. Different services, different parts of the city, same outcome: we found problems that nobody else had caught.
Job 1: Clogged gutters from a crumbling cedar shake roof in North York
The homeowner called because water was pouring over every downspout during rainstorms. Not one section - every single downspout on the house. That kind of total system failure means the problem has been building for a while.
We arrived at a two-and-a-half storey home with a cedar shake roof and mature trees on all sides. From the ground, the gutters looked normal. But the moment we got up the ladder, we saw the real story.
What we found on the roof
The cedar shakes were splitting apart. Large fragments had broken off and dropped straight into the gutters, mixing with decomposed leaves to form a dense, wet sludge. Several sections held standing water because the debris had packed so tight that nothing could drain.
One gutter section had a visible hole where the accumulated weight and moisture had corroded through the metal. The downspout openings were completely blocked - not by leaves alone, but by chunks of wood and roofing material that had wedged themselves in.
This was not a case of "the homeowner forgot to clean the gutters." The roof itself was feeding debris into the drainage system faster than any seasonal cleaning could keep up with.
Why cedar shake roofs cause gutter problems
Cedar shake shingles have a natural lifespan of 20 to 30 years in Ontario's climate. As they age, the wood dries out, cracks, and starts to shed fragments. These drop directly into the gutters below.
Unlike leaf debris, wood fragments do not compress or wash through downspouts. They wedge, stack, and create rigid blockages that resist water flow. When leaves land on top of these wood dams, the combination forms an almost waterproof barrier inside the gutter.
The moss growing on aging cedar shakes adds to the problem. Moss holds moisture against the wood, speeds up deterioration, and eventually peels off in clumps that end up in the gutter as well.
The 40-foot access challenge
This house tested our equipment. A 32-foot extension ladder could reach the lower roofline, but the upper gutter sections sat well above that. We brought our 40-foot extension ladder and used a specialized telescoping pole to reach spots where even the tall ladder could not be safely positioned.
Heavy rain started partway through the job. On one hand, the rain helped us see exactly where water was backing up. On the other, wet cedar is slippery and requires extra caution.
What we recommended
After cleaning the entire system and flushing every downspout, we explained to the homeowner what we found:
- Get a roofing inspection. The shakes are past their functional life, and continued shedding will mean clogged gutters every season.
- Schedule gutter cleanings every four months until the roof is replaced.
- Consider gutter guards after the roof replacement. Installing guards over gutters that catch roof debris is a losing battle.
The homeowner had been blaming the trees for years. Knowing the actual cause gives him a clear path forward. He also booked us for window cleaning on the next visit.
Job 2: Seven years of grime and post-construction tape on condo windows in Toronto
The call came from a woman in her mid-60s living in a Toronto apartment building. She wanted her balcony windows cleaned. Nothing unusual - until we arrived and saw what seven years of neglect looks like on enclosed balcony glass.
Every panel was covered in a film of mineral deposits, water stains, and city grime so thick you could barely see through some of them. But that was the easy part.
Post-construction residue hiding under the dirt
When we started cleaning, strips of old adhesive tape became visible. Someone had taped protective film to these windows during a building renovation years ago and never removed it properly. The tape was gone, but the adhesive had baked into the glass from years of sun exposure.
Several panes also had dried construction glue and paint specks. This was not everyday window grime - this was post-construction residue that had been sitting untouched long enough to bond with the glass surface.
The client told us she had called two other cleaning companies earlier this month. Both showed up, looked at the windows, and did their best. Neither could get the adhesive off.
What it takes to remove baked-on adhesive
Standard window cleaning solution does not dissolve adhesive that has been curing in direct sunlight for years. We used professional-grade adhesive removers and razor scrapers at precise angles to lift the residue without scratching the glass.
Each panel required individual attention. The enclosed balcony had eight large sliding panels plus fixed windows above. Working inside the sunroom meant limited ventilation, tight space, and careful movement around the client's furniture.
By the time we finished, every panel was clear - no streaks, no adhesive, no paint specks.
Why we did not charge extra
Post-construction window cleaning is a separate service that typically costs more. In this case, we made a judgment call. The client is retired, living on a fixed income, and had already paid two other companies that did not finish the job. We cleaned the adhesive and glue at no additional cost.
She told us afterward that we did more in one visit than both previous companies combined.
What both jobs have in common
Two different services, two different neighborhoods - but the pattern is the same. In both cases:
- The visible problem was not the real problem. Overflowing gutters were caused by the roof, not leaves. Dirty windows were hiding post-construction damage.
- Previous contractors missed the root cause. Other gutter cleaners would have cleared leaves and left. Other window cleaners did exactly that - cleaned the surface and left the adhesive.
- A proper assessment changed the outcome. By diagnosing the actual issue, we gave both clients information they needed to make better decisions going forward.
This is what we mean when we say every job includes a full property assessment. We are not just checking boxes.
Pricing for gutter and window cleaning in Toronto
Gutter cleaning for homes with cedar shake roofs in North York typically runs $250 to $450 depending on linear footage, height access, and debris type.
Condo window cleaning for enclosed balcony units ranges from $150 to $300 depending on panel count and glass condition. Post-construction cleaning adds to the cost if adhesive or paint removal is required.
We quote every job individually after seeing the property. Call (647) 558-8411 or visit our contact page for a free estimate.
For full pricing details: window cleaning prices | eavestrough cleaning costs
Service areas
We serve homes and condos across Toronto and the GTA including North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough, Mississauga, Vaughan, Thornhill, and Brampton. With 470+ five-star Google reviews, $2M CGL insurance, and WSIB coverage, we handle any property type. All technicians hold Working at Heights certification.
