Construct This: A Contractor's Blog

3 Steps Involved With Gutter Cleaning

8 May 2023 by Joyce Rivera

Gutter cleaning is one of those chores you may prefer to put off, but if you do, your gutters may not work properly and then your home or roof could be water damaged. If your yard has several mature trees, you might need to clean your gutters a couple of times a year. Although, if you really don't like cleaning gutters, you can hire a residential gutter cleaning service to do it for you. Here's what needs to be done.

1. Dig Out Leaves

Digging out wet leaves is probably the worst part of gutter cleaning. If you do the job yourself, be sure to wear gloves for protection. The moldy, wet leaves may harbor bacteria and you might get poked by a sharp twig and get an infection.

If you wear gloves, it's easy to dig leaves out by hand. Arrange a way to collect the leaves so they don't fall to the ground. You might hang a bucket from your ladder for collecting debris from the gutters.

2. Rinse And Wash The Gutters

You can rinse the gutters inside and out to get them clean. When you rinse the gutters, check that water flows to the downspout and doesn't puddle up or leak to the ground. If you see any of these problems, you should repair them as soon as possible, or call a gutter company to do it for you.

Another thing to check when you're rinsing the gutters is that the water goes to the downspout and comes out the other end just as fast. If water backs up or doesn't come out, there is probably a clog or leak you'll need to investigate later. While you're up on the ladder cleaning the gutters, it's a good time to look around for signs of water damage and loose hangers, so all repairs can be done when they're needed.

3. Clean The Downspout

If water runs out of the downspout quickly, you can probably rule out clogging. However, if clogs do get in the downspout, you can push them through with a broom handle or power washer. If your spout has sharp elbows, you can remove the screws and pull the elbows off so the spout is easier to clean. When you're checking the downspout out, be sure it's pointed away from your house so the water doesn't flow toward your home's foundation.

When you do gutter cleaning, take safety precautions so you're safe on the ladder. Make sure the ladder is on stable ground and don't reach too far to one side when you're cleaning. If you don't feel comfortable working on a ladder due to balance issues or other problems, then let gutter cleaning professionals take care of it so you stay safe.

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