Gutter Cleaning involves removing debris like leaves, dirt, twigs and other things that clog gutters and prevent rainwater from flowing through them. It also helps prevent home damage from water and moisture.
Professional gutter cleaners typically use a scoop or their hands to remove the gunk and then flush down the system with a hose to get rid of any smaller particles. Regular cleaning of your gutters can help you avoid costly repairs later on.
Gutter cleaning can be a dangerous job if you don’t follow the proper ladder safety rules. The best way to prevent a fall is to have a partner on the ground to hold the ladder for support. They can also keep an eye out for other potential safety issues such as a weak or damaged ladder or even a loose gutter.
When using a ladder, it’s important to wear proper footwear with rubber, non-skid soles. Flip-flops or sandals aren’t safe, as they offer little traction on the ladder’s rungs or steps. Ladders should always be inspected prior to use to ensure it is in good condition and has the ability to support your weight.
Using the right type of ladder is also key to ensuring your safety. A telescoping ladder is a better choice than a step ladder, as it can provide much more stability. In addition, a ladder should be fitted with stabilizer arms to prevent it from tipping. These can be purchased separately and attached to most standard ladders. A spotter is also a great idea, especially when using an extension ladder.
It’s important to stay hydrated when cleaning gutters, as it can be extremely hot and humid out. It’s recommended to bring a water bottle or buy a gallon of water at a local store, as it will help you stay hydrated and rehydrate throughout the process.
Gutter debris often contains thorns, rusty metal bits and other objects that can cut or sting your hands. Having heavy gloves will help protect your skin from these hazards and make the cleaning process more efficient. It’s also a good idea to wear safety glasses or goggles, as falling debris from the gutters can scratch or puncture them.
The most common mistake people make when cleaning gutters is overreaching. It’s tempting to reach out as far as possible when you’re on a ladder, but this can easily throw off your center of gravity and cause you to fall. Be sure to reposition the ladder frequently to continue working on different sections of the gutter.
Protect Yourself
Climbing a ladder is not everyone’s idea of a good time, but when it comes to protecting your home from water damage, gutter cleaning is one chore that needs to be done. If you decide to take on this task yourself, here are some tips to help you be safer and avoid injury.
Start by putting on your safety gear, including eye protection and a dust mask. You can also use a wet/dry vacuum to make quick work of the gunk that can be found in clogged gutters, a garden trowel or scoop for removing large debris, and a gutter cleaning brush to scrub away stubborn dirt and grime. It’s a good idea to spread a tarp beneath your workspace to catch the debris as you clean.
Next, rake any pine needles or leaves that are on the roof of your house before climbing the ladder to avoid them falling into the gutters during and after you are finished. Also, be sure that the ladder is stable and has a spot to place your bucket or scoop so you can easily move it from one area to another without leaning or overreaching. It is also a good idea to let someone know that you are using the ladder so they can keep an eye on you in case of an accident.
Wearing gloves makes the job much easier and prevents you from getting splinters or bit by insects or branches. Gloves also make it a lot easier to handle dry leaves, pine needles, twigs and other prickly debris.
After you have removed the larger debris, if your gutters are still clogged, use a hose to flush them out. This will ensure that the downspouts are directing water away from your house, and will reveal any areas where the gutter is loose or sagging.
After you are done cleaning the gutters, inspect them for any other issues that may need attention, such as loose or rusted sections, or holes in the gutters. These should be repaired as soon as possible to avoid water damage to your home.
Protect Your Property
When gutters become clogged, rainwater and melting snow are unable to flow away from your home properly. This can cause water damage to the fascia, siding and roof of your house. It can also cause basement and crawlspace flooding, mold growth and water damage to items stored in those spaces. Gutter cleaning eliminates the accumulation of leaves, sticks and other debris that can prevent water flow. It should be done periodically throughout the year, especially in spring and fall when the trees on and around your property begin to produce buds, seed pods, oak tassles, ragweed and other plants that will eventually fall onto the roof and in the gutters and leaders.
Accumulated debris in your gutters can also attract unwanted pests. Mice, birds, insects and mosquitos use the organic trash to build nests and breed. These vermin may spread diseases like the deadly West Nile Virus. Wet, decomposing trash can also encourage the growth of fungus, tree seedlings and weeds that can harm your yard and destroy your gutter system. Regular gutter cleaning eliminates these problem weeds and vermin while getting rid of the organic debris that they thrive on.
Lastly, the accumulated debris that isn’t removed from your gutters can dry out and become highly combustible. If the material dries out under the right conditions, it can ignite and spit embers that can burn through your gutters, roofing and ceiling, causing serious damage to your property. Regular cleaning gets rid of the flammable material and keeps it from building up.
When you decide to tackle your own gutter cleaning, start by laying down a tarp or sheet to protect your lawn and driveway from spilled gravel and debris. Choose a clear, mild-temperature day for the job and set up your ladder in a stable, safe position. Be sure to have a spotter standing by to keep an eye on the ladder at all times to avoid falls or injuries. Once you have manually cleared away larger debris, a hose can help wash down the finer particles and flush out any remaining clogs. If the water in the gutter spout is slow or stopped completely, you can use a plumber’s snake to dislodge the blockage.
Save Time
Gutter cleaning is one of those chores that is best done when you are not pressed for time. If you hire a professional gutter cleaner, you can save yourself a lot of time because they will be able to clean the entire gutter system quickly and efficiently without any of the pitfalls that come with attempting to do it on your own.
Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring a professional, you will want to ensure that the company you select has the proper insurance for this type of work. This will protect you in the event that someone gets injured on the job and will also ensure that if any damage is caused to your property, the company will be able to cover the costs.
There are many different tools available that can make this a less cumbersome task, but a hard bristled broom and hand brush are essential for removing the bulk of debris. A leaf blower can be helpful for reducing the number of trips up and down the ladder, while a scoop or grabber will help to reach the hard to get to bits. A collection container will also be needed to hold all of the accumulated gunk that you are going to remove from the roof and guttering.
Be sure to wear a pair of sturdy work gloves and eye protection during this process. It is not uncommon for small twigs, leaves and other debris to shoot out of the downspout when you are clearing a clog. This can create quite a mess on the ground and can also be dangerous to anyone walking below.
Once you have removed the majority of the visible debris, be sure to run water through the gutters and downspouts to wash away any remaining finer particles. This will also help to prevent the build-up of mold, which can occur in wet gutters. The last thing you want to see is your beautiful home ruined by a poorly maintained gutter system.