Fall is certainly beautiful, but as we all know, with brilliant colors come full gutters. So, you may notice a significant increase in debris in your gutters during the fall season.
The fall foliage and debris is a great reminder that your gutters need regular cleanings. Your gutters direct rainwater away from your home. This protects your structure from mold, leaks and water damage. By keeping the gutters clean, you maintain the flow of water through the gutter system. If you neglect to clean your gutters, it could create costly repairs in the future, and your neighbors will make fun of you.
You should clean gutters at least twice a year. If you have trees that produce more debris close to your home, you may even want to consider cleaning every three months.
The good news is, with the right tools, cleaning your gutters should only take you a few hours.
Step-by-Step Guide
- You should gather all the necessary tools needed for the job.
- Sturdy, extendable ladder to reach the gutters.
Remember, practice ladder safety:
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- Do not climb beyond the second-to-last rung at the top.
- Don’t lean to reach. You do not want to create instability by uneven bodyweight.
- Ensure the ladder is on stable ground and firmly planted if you put the ladder on rocks.
- If using an extension ladder, use a ladder stabilizer.
- If you’re uncomfortable on ladders, you can rent a towable personal lift as well. The lift is less labor intensive and offers more safety than a ladder.
- Small scoop to remove debris.
- Gloves.
- Tarp to catch debris.
- Tasty beverage to celebrate your accomplishment.
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- Dress in appropriate clothes. You should wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants. Gloves should be durable and for outdoor use. You will likely get dirty, so wear appropriate clothing.
- Spread the tarp out underneath the space where you will be working. You shouldn’t leave the debris on your lawn; it can kill the grass or landscaping.
- You should start cleaning near the downspout and work toward the closed end. Use the scoop to remove debris.
- Once all debris is removed, use a garden hose to clean out any remaining gunk and flush downspouts. When using the garden hose to spray the gutters, check to make sure water is flowing out the downspouts. If you notice any downspouts where there isn’t water flowing, check for blockages. If no water is coming out of your hose, you probably forgot to turn it on.
- Repair any areas of the gutter that may be sagging. If gutters do not flow properly, they could create spillover onto your home. Gutters should slope one-fourth of an inch for every 10 feet toward the downspout. You can use gutter hangers to repair slopes.
When you’re finished, you’ll be set for months to come. The first time you clean is usually the most time consuming, but once you get the hang of it, your bi-yearly gutter cleaning will be easy.
Are you in need of tools to clean your gutters? We’ve got you covered. Contact us today!