How to Clean Your Gutters

2010-08-12T05:32:00.000-07:00

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Gutter cleaning is probably one of the most unglamorous parts of home maintenance. Many people loathe having to climb ladders and scoop out old leaves. But with the right tools and a few time-saving tips and tricks, gutter maintenance can be a relatively quick and painless undertaking. Here’s how to go about doing gutter cleaning and maintenance:

Check your gutters at least twice a year – Late spring and fall are the usual times when gutter inspection can be done easily. If you live in a rainy climate, or have a lot of trees hanging over your roof, you may need to clean your gutters more frequently. Gutter inspection should include looking for cracks, holes, dents and other signs of damage.

Take necessary precautions – Gutter cleaning and especially high ladder work can be dangerous. For high or hard to reach areas, or you are in any way unsure about your safety on the ladder, call a gutter service to do the job for you. Your step-ladder must be placed on level ground, and you will need to move it frequently. Over-reaching can cause unhappy accidents. Use rubber gloves to protect your hands from sharp objects and debris.

Prepare your tools – You’ll need a strong step-ladder, gloves, a gutter scooper or stiff brush, a garden hose to rinse your gutter system, and a plastic bag for debris. Some people use a bucket for debris, which is fine if you have a way to hook it onto the ladder. However it is safer to have your hands free whenever you’re on or going up or down the ladder. Just drop debris to the ground beneath you and sweep it up later.

Clear out debris from gutters and downspouts – Start from the corners of the house and work away from them, being careful not to push debris into the downspout. If you clean your gutter after it rains, while the leaves and debris are wet, it is easier to remove them. Scoop out debris with a gutter scooper or garden trowel, and use a stiff gutter brush to clean out smaller pieces and dirt. You can tap downspouts to loosen up clogs, or use a plumber’s snake (auger) to pull debris out from the bottom of the downspout.

Rinse gutter system with water – After removing encrusted dirt and debris, rinse your system with a high-pressure hose. This is also a chance to look for cracks or leaks in the guttering. If your cleaning job was successful, the water will drain freely from your downspouts.

Consider calling a gutter service – While low-hanging gutters, downspouts and the like can be cleaned by do-it-yourselfers, there are some jobs--such as repairs leaks or cracks, re-painting, installing and high-power water flushing—which require professional equipment and expertise. If you don’t have the time to check your gutters regularly, gutter covers can help keep your gutters free of debris and make your gutter maintenance a lot easier.

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How to Clean Your Gutters