Gutter cleaning is a necessary part of home maintenance because they often become clogged with leaves and other debris. Overflowing gutters can cause water damage to the exterior of your house. It’s recommended that you clean your home’s gutters twice each year: once in spring and once in late fall. Here are tips to make gutter cleaning easier.
Preparing to Clean Your Home’s Gutters
Before you begin removing debris from the gutters, make sure you can do so safely. If there are trees overhanging your home, prune them back to protect the roof and give you room to clear the guttering channels.
Use a sturdy ladder that is tall enough to reach the gutters on your home. When cleaning, place the ladder against the side of the house and make sure it is on level ground. Wear thick gloves to protect your hands from the debris in the gutters. Eye protection is also recommended to keep plant matter and dirt from splashing into your eyes.
Remove Debris
Gutter channels are frequently clogged with fallen leaves, pine needles, bird nests, twigs, and other debris. Scoop the material out with gloved hands and deposit it in a bucket attached to your ladder. Alternatively, spread a tarp beneath the area where you are working and toss the debris down onto the tarp.
After removing solid debris, spray the guttering channels with a garden hose to rinse them of smaller particles. Make sure the water flows freely out of the downspouts.
Install Gutter Guards
To reduce the amount of time you spend cleaning gutters, there are several different kinds of detachable mesh guards available. These block debris from your gutters and help to prevent water damage. To minimize your gutter-cleaning, install guards.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals to Clean Your Home’s Gutters
Do not use harsh chemicals when cleaning the gutters. Some cleaners contain compounds that cause rusting and corrosion of metal components. Instead, remove the debris with your hands or a gutter scoop and invest in tools that attach to your garden hose, leaf blower, or pressure washer to help you make quick work of gutter cleaning.
Gutters are designed to drain rain or melted snow off the roof and away from your home’s foundation. But if they’re obstructed, the water can overflow onto walkways, into the landscaping, beneath roofing shingles, and even into your basement. Keep the gutters clean to prevent water damage to your home and property.
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