When it rains your gutters route the runoff from your home’s roof to where it can drain away from your home. By getting it away from the home, you protect siding, windows, doors, garden beds,and foundations from water damage and prevent flooding in the basement.
To do the job they were created for, gutters and downspouts must be clear of leaves and debris. If not, the gutters will stop up and fill up with water, back up, overflow, and eventually pull gutters loose from their mountings. Water that pools in the gutters will rust-out sheet metal ones.
There are numerous companies and independents that you can hire to clean your gutters, but doing the work yourself can sometimes save you $100 or more.
Plan to clean gutters at least twice a year, early spring and late fall, more often if the roof is directly beneath trees. But only make it a homeowner job if you know you can work safely from a ladder. If your roof is higher than a single story, or you’re unsure of your job’s safety, you need to hire a professional.
Get a sturdy ladder, rated for your weight, place it on a firm, level base. A tall stepladder can be easier to use than an extension ladder; if you must lean an extension ladder against a gutter, protect the gutter from bending by purchasing ladder extensions from your local home improvement center. They install and remove easily. Stand on the ladder centered between the rails; don’t ever lean out over the side of the ladder, it could begin to slide. Never use the top two rungs.
If your going to clean the gutters yourself, wear a pair heavy work gloves to protect your hands. Gutters have sharp edges and usually screw points sticking out, be extra careful to avoid cutting your hands. Safety glasses or goggles should also be worn.
Sometimes professionals blow dry debris out of gutters with a leaf-blower. If you decide to use this method, wear goggles, slip proof shoes,a dust mask, and never lean out over the roof.
To clean gutters the conventional way;
1) Scoop out the loose debrisStarting at the outlet on the bottom of the gutter, use a narrow garden trowel or screwdriver to scoop out any debris, working away from drain outlet. It’s usually easiest to do this when the debris is slightly damp and pliable, not soggy or dried and encrusted. To minimize cleanup later, you can scoop the debris into a plastic trash bag
.2) Blast out the gutters with a hose Using a pressure nozzle mounted at the end of your water hose, wash out each section of the gutter, working toward the downspouts, making sure the water is flowing out at the spout. This can be a messy job; splattering mud and dirt all over your house. You can use a stiff scrub brush or putty knife to break loose any stubborn dirt.
3) Clearing any obstructions in the downspoutsIf the water doesn’t run freely through the downspouts, try clearing it with the hose. If that doesn’t work, use a plumber’s auger (snake) or a straightened clothes hanger to free and pull out debris from the bottom.
Cleaning your gutters is normally a simple procedure and can be done in a few hours. Remember to watch for wires and never work off a ladder on an unlevel surface.
See you next time on the corner
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