How To Clean Gutters

Keeping your home in great shape is the goal of most homeowners, but sometimes things fall by the wayside. One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of home care is the home’s exterior. More specifically, the gutters of a house are often disregarded when taking time to engage in home repair and cleaning, often because they don’t tend to stand out until there’s a problem. 

Unfortunately, this can lead to plenty of issues, such as leaky roofs and mold; even rodents, with the gutters in Portland that could be solved by simply maintaining them. A little time to maintain and clean them now can save you significant time and money in the future if you can avoid needing a new gutter. Let’s take a look at the right way to clean your gutters.

The best time to clean gutters is probably in the spring. Remove debris that has built up in the fall. Also, remember to wait a few days after the rain to get started. However, if you have pine needles around, it’s best to clean them quarterly. The first thing you should do when getting ready to clean your gutters is to find a sturdy ladder you can trust. You don’t want something rickety that might result in dangerous accidents. You may want to use a stabilizer if the surface that supports you is not flat. Otherwise, being on an unstable surface may cause the ladder to shift. Also, make sure it is the right height for the job. You must be able to reach your gutters. Remember, don’t ever stand on the top two rungs, and secure your ladder. Additionally, keep the task in mind – you’re going to be getting dirty, so dress accordingly. Long-sleeved shirts, rubber gloves, and work pants are the best, most functional options. Consider wearing plastic gloves under work gloves, which will keep your hands dry. Finally, make sure that you have the right tools for the job, including a small plastic scoop, or a trowel, a hose (that can reach), a couple of pails, and a tarp. Connect one pail on each side of the ladder. One will hold the tools, and the other the debris you find in your gutters. You can pick up a gutter scoop at most hardware stores, but you can also use a small sandbox shovel or a spatula in a pinch.

Best Way to Cleaning the Gutters

Once you have all of your tools ready to go, spread your tarp out underneath where you’re going to be working to help make clean-up easier – and you won’t want to have to scrape gutter gunk off of your lawn, so don’t skip this step! Next, place your ladder on a sturdy surface. Avoid landscaping rocks, as an aside, as they can always shift unexpectedly. Next, get to work scooping everything out! Flush the downspouts and gutters with a garden hose when you’re done cleaning them.

Downspouts are often overlooked in the cleaning process. However, if they are clogged, they can create damage inside your home. Use your hose to run water down the spout. If it comes out slower than it goes in, you have a clog. You can get rid of it by pushing your hose up as far as it goes into the downspout, giving it full power. 

Remember to seal any leaks from seams or joints that you find during the cleaning process. This is also a good time to check the water flow of your gutter system, which may require some repositioning. Replace any split sections you come across. Looking for more information about gutter repair, gutter cleaning in Portland, or how to maintain them in general? The experienced team at Gutter Empire can help!