North Vancouver · Gutter cleaning
Strata gutters on a Lower Lonsdale low-rise
Four storeys, a flat-ish roof, internal drains and a council that just wants it handled. Strata gutters are a different job from a house.
November 6, 2026 · 2 min read · Spark Property Services
This story describes a typical situation we see in North Vancouver, not one specific customer.
The situation
A strata council for a four-storey building a few blocks up from the Lower Lonsdale waterfront kept hearing the same complaint: water pouring off one corner of the roof onto the patio of a ground-floor unit every time it rained hard.
The building's gutters hadn't been cleaned in two years, and nobody was quite sure who was responsible for the downspouts.
Planning a strata job
We start with a walk-around with the property manager: where the gutters and downspouts are, how the roof drains, where we can set up safely, and which units we'll be working beside.
The quote lists exactly what's included, so council can approve it without guesswork. Notices go out through the property manager before the work day, especially to units with patios or balconies under the gutters.
How we approach it
- Gutters are cleared by hand, and roof drains and scuppers are checked where they can be safely reached.
- Each downspout is flow-tested. On older buildings, a downspout that backs up below ground is a drainage issue for a specialist, and we'll flag it clearly.
- We clean up debris from patios and walkways below, so residents aren't left with a mess.
After the job
Council gets a short summary of what was done and anything that needs attention, such as a separated joint or a downspout that drains toward the building. Moving gutters onto a yearly schedule keeps the problem from coming back.
Questions we hear
Can you clean gutters on a four-storey building?
Often, yes, depending on access around the building. We'll confirm the method during the walk-around.
Do you provide a certificate of insurance?
Yes, on request for strata and commercial clients.
