Roof gutters and downspouts are critical for preventing water damage to home sidings and foundations. They catch and direct rainwater from the roof down to the drainage system. Sometimes, the downpipes attached to these gutters also collect rainwater for gardening.
To ensure that gutters continue functioning as intended, you need to know how to maintain them. Proper gutter maintenance begins with correct and periodic cleaning.
Gutter cleaning must be done regularly: every six months and before and after storms or heavy rain showers. This task is simple enough to do on your own, though it’s still best (and safest) to rely on professionals.
If you still decide to take on the task, this guide shows you the best ways to clean gutters without putting yourself in harm’s way.
Before you begin, prepare for the task at hand. Proper gutter cleaning requires a few precautionary steps:
Like many maintenance tasks, you must first check the current state of your roof gutters before cleaning them. This will give you a good idea of how much work needs to be done, allowing you to prepare everything you’ll need for the task.
More importantly, this step helps you determine whether cleaning is enough or if gutter replacement or repair is necessary. If it’s the latter, consider hiring professionals for the job.
Rust, sagging, and loose downspouts are telltale signs that your gutters need repair or replacement. Depending on their size and severity, leaks may also require expert attention.
Make sure you have everything you need for the task. Among the essential roof gutter cleaning tools are:
Depending on the result of your inspection, you may also need a drain snake or plumbing auger in case the downspout is blocked.
If you plan to clean the gutters yourself, you must take additional safety measures to prevent accidents. That means you must:
It is also important to always practise ladder safety:
Of course, if you’re inexperienced in this type of work or are uncomfortable with heights, it’s best to ask professionals to do it for you. They have the necessary equipment for the job and the required experience to deliver the best possible results.
How do you clean your gutters? There are several methods, but most DIYers opt for the most straightforward process.
When cleaning rain gutters, begin by physically removing loose debris — leaves, twigs, and anything else caught in the crevices. Start near the downspout and remove debris trapped in the strainer (if you have one).
If there is any caked-on or packed-in material in the gutter, you can use a hand trowel to push it out. Do this one section at a time, moving the ladder over a couple of feet and repeating the process until you’ve covered the entire gutter.
Using a water sprayer hose, flush out any remaining material in the gutter. But unlike the first step, you should start from the far end and work toward the downspout. It would help if you have a gutter cleaning attachment for this.
If the water isn’t draining well, check for any blockage in your downspout.
Pro Tip: If your roof is made of shingles, avoid spraying water under them.
Hose down your downspout. If it’s one solid piece, you can remove the bands and flush it out before reattaching. But if it comes with a short piece running down an underground tiling, you can remove just that part.
If you notice blockages, cover the open pipe with a bucket to catch debris. Once you’re ready, feed the nozzle and a length of the hose up the spout before spraying at full pressure to push out the blockage.
Did that work? If not, use a drain auger or plumbing snake and feed it through the downspout. Once it feels like it can no longer go farther, lock the collar and spin the line. Then, continue feeding it down before pulling it back to release the debris.
After clearing the blockages, reattach the downspout and repeat step no. 2. If you notice standing water, it’s a sign that the gutter isn’t pitched (sloped downward from the ridge) correctly.
When this happens, detach the hangers and adjust until you achieve an ideal slope (declining at 1/4 to 1/2 inch every 20 feet). You can also check if the gutter is sloping down as it should using a level tool.
If the gutter is sagging, you can install additional hangers. One support hanger should be installed for every two feet of gutter.
Of course, if you’re not comfortable doing this or are afraid that the entire gutter system might fall, you should ask professionals to do it for you.
Looking for an alternative gutter cleaning method? If you have a leaf blower at home, you can also use it for this task. Here’s how:
Before you do this, ensure your leaf blower has the appropriate attachments for gutter cleaning. You should be able to accomplish the task while working from the ground. If not, you can skip this method altogether.
To begin with, prepare your leaf blower and the necessary attachments, which may include a U-shaped nozzle and some screw-on extensions. Ideally, you should have enough extensions to allow you to stand farther away from the house to avoid falling leaves.
Turn on the blower and move the nozzle along the length of the gutters. Make sure it is angled to blow leaves away from you.
Pro Tip: Determine the direction of the wind and work with it.
When using a leaf blower, be careful not to damage the gutters or your roof, especially if you have shingles. And don’t forget to gear up for safety; wear goggles, hearing protection, and a respirator mask. A cap or hat should also protect your head against falling debris.
Cleaning gutters is integral to keeping your home in excellent condition. Now that you know the correct way to clean gutters, you can enjoy the benefits they offer for a long time.
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