With leaves beginning to fall it’s time to start thinking about gutter maintenance. Leaves and other dirt and debris can collect in the gutters of your home, which can cause some serious and costly issues over time. The best way to prolong the life of your gutters and prevent damage is to set a cleaning schedule and stick to it! So when is the best time to perform necessary maintenance to your home’s gutters? It is recommended that you take the time to access the damage, clean, and perform necessary maintenance twice a year. Once in the spring and again after the last leaves have fallen between autumn and winter.
Pine trees over your house? Consider cleaning every 3 months.
Maintaining the integrity of your home relies on keeping water as far away as possible. Seeping water causes degeneration of vital structures and the development of mold and mildew. Keeping your gutters free of debris is your first line of defense against the headaches of costly home repair.
Standing water in clogged gutters can also attract all kinds of pests. Mosquitoes are attracted to stagnant water for breeding. Removing mosquitoes breeding grounds from your property protects you and your family from itching bites and the potential for illnesses.
Removing leaves and debris from your gutters will prevent them from taking on excessive weight, which causes them to pull away from your home. This becomes a danger to the people walking beneath them as well as the roof and siding of your home. Sagging gutters need to be securely fixed to the structure.
Some Best Practices of Gutter Cleaning
Here we’ll teach you how to properly remove debris from your gutter and prevent future clogs and issues.
- Wear Gloves – Wearing hand protection is often overlooked when gutter cleaning, but it is a critical safety component when considering all the sharp and hazardous debris you come across when tending to your home’s gutter system. Find a reliable pair of gloves that are strong, durable and can outlast your home improvement projects. Try to avoid leather or cotton gloves, they may be comfortable, but they are not designed for heavy housework and can be get ruined when wet.
- Use a scoop – use a small scoop or garden spade to reach down and remove the debris. Don’t just push the debris to the downspout, work to actually remove it.
- Wear protective eyewear – Most people don’t consider this, but when you’re gutter cleaning, you run the risk of having random objects fly at your face, especially if you’re using a portable leaf blower to remove debris from your gutters. It’s imperative when gutter cleaning, that you wear protective eyeglasses or goggles to prevent a tragic accident from occurring.
- Inspect for leaks and other problems – Checking your gutters regularly for any damage they may have sustained is a great way to stay on top of repairs, this includes sealing any leaks or holes in the seams and joints.
- Check downspouts – An integral part of your gutter system is the downspout. Clear them of debris and leaves and make sure the joints are fitting together properly. When testing for leaks take notice to the water running through the downspout to ensure that it is running AWAY from your home.
If You’re Comfortable Using A Ladder…
Not all homeowners are comfortable scaling a ladder to get an up-close view of their gutter system. If you are, cleaning your gutters won’t require much more than an extension ladder, a pair of gloves, a small scooping tool (like a garden spade), a long hose, and a bit of patience.
Make sure to select a sturdy and well-balanced industrially manufactured (if possible) ladder to complete your next gutter cleaning job. Avoid fiberglass or wooden ladders, they are not worthwhile in the sturdiness category. Choose a four-legged ladder if you’re working on a one-story structure and an extension ladder for anything that is taller.
Always have a spotter!
Gutter cleaning exposes homeowners to so many hazards – falling down, hazardous objects, being overwhelmed with the amount of work, etc. It is in your best interest to have an extra set of eyes monitoring the situation. Ask a dependable person to be your spotter and keep an eye on you while you climb onto the ladder or as you forage through the debris that is logged in your gutter system. Ideally, gutter cleaning is not a one-person job, and seeking help can not only give you a sense of safety but may help you finish the job faster.
Of course, make sure your ladder is placed on level ground and doesn’t shake from side to side as you climb. Once you’re positioned with an aerial view of your gutter, begin clearing out any leaves, rocks, or roof shingles that pose a clog threat. Most items can simply be removed by hand, though you may need a small scoop to help with dirt clods.
Once your gutters are free of large debris, retrieve your hose. Place your thumb over the hose to create some pressure and spray in each direction. Pay attention to places where water pools inside your gutter. If the water isn’t flowing downward toward your downspout(s) your gutter may be sagging.
If you find your gutter is sagging, identify the place that needs lifting and secure it to your home and/or place a supportive bracket.
If you’re NOT comfortable using a ladder…
If you have exceptionally high gutters or you aren’t comfortable scaling a ladder, there are tools you can use to help you clear your gutters of debris.
There are a variety of extendable gutter washers on the market that shoot high-pressure water streams in both directions, pushing out leaves and other debris. They are designed to curve over the edge of your gutter for easy use from the ground. Of course, these may not be able to move things like rocks or shingles.
If you have a shop vac (a good investment for any homeowner), you can purchase long, curved hose attachments that will suck both wet and dry debris from your gutter systems.
If one of these options sounds appealing to you, there’s no shame in calling a gutter maintenance professional to clean, repair, and protect your gutters.
Consider Semiannual Gutter Cleaning Services
One way to manage your gutter cleaning and reduce your workload is to have gutter cleaning services scheduled twice a year. Once in the fall and once in the spring. Regularly scheduled gutter cleaning helps to eliminate the chances of having water damage from rainwater runoff, a common problem that is often caused by a clogged gutter system. Another reason for regulatory gutter cleaning is to prevent rust corrosion, which is often generated by the debris plugged inside the gutters.
Preventing Future Clogs In Your Gutter System
Most homeowners have open gutters that leave their system exposed to the onslaught of leaves and debris. However, there are add-ons like grates and protective shields that can help keep your gutters debris-free.
If your gutter system is old, sagging, or cracked, it may be time for a complete gutter overhaul. If it’s in your budget, we can offer you the newest, most protective gutter systems that will make gutter cleaning a worry of the past. We provide a couple of different solutions to help prevent clogged gutters:
- 6″ Gutters – Upgrade your home’s gutters from 5″ to 6″ which provide a ton more room for leaves and debris to flow freely.
- Gutter Guards – Choose from solid covers, slide-in screens, and other patented gutter protection systems designed to catch water but allow the leaves to run right off of your roof.
