Gutter cleaning preserves your home by funneling rainwater off your roof through downspouts to an area away from the house. When these gutters become clogged with leaves, dirt, and twigs it causes damage to the roof and siding.
Clogged gutters can also sag and leak, causing damage to your ceiling and walls. Follow these tips to get the job done right!
Safety First
We often see people falling off ladders and roofs in movies and on TV, but in real life these accidents can be very dangerous or even deadly. To avoid them, it’s important to take the proper safety precautions before getting started on a gutter cleaning job. First of all, make sure your ladder is safe to climb and has solid footing. It’s also best to have a friend or family member help you with the task, at least to spot you and keep the ladder from moving.
Next, you should wear thick work gloves to protect your hands from rotting debris and animal feces. You should also consider wearing protective eyewear and a dust mask to prevent inhaling harmful bacteria and mold spores. Finally, it’s a good idea to have a trash bag close by for the debris you remove from the gutter.
It’s always a good idea to start at the bottom of the gutter and work your way up, scooping out the dirt, leaves, and other debris as you go along. This helps you avoid stepping on and kicking up the debris, which could make the whole mess worse. Once you get to the end of the gutter, work your way back toward the drain outlet and rinse out the clogged section with the hose. This flushes out the gutter trough and acts as a test to see if the drainage system is still working properly.
It’s also a good idea to rake all the debris off of the roof before you start cleaning the gutters. This prevents the next rain from washing all of it down into the clean gutter, causing it to clog up again. You should also be careful not to rake too close to the chimney or near heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, as this can lead to water damming up in those areas and cause roof leaks over time. Finally, you should wear rubber soled shoes to avoid slipping on the ladder or the wet debris on the roof. These simple safety tips can greatly reduce the risk of a fall or other accident while cleaning your gutters.
Invest in a Gutter Tool
When it comes to gutter cleaning, the right tools of the trade can make all the difference. Using the right equipment can help to ensure that all debris is removed from gutters and downpipes, reducing the risk of blockages and water damage to homes. It can also help to reduce the time it takes to clean each property, as well as the amount of effort that is needed by the operator.
Investing in the right gutter cleaning supplies is crucial for any business that provides this service. In addition to standard ladders and cleaning tools such as scarpers and brushes, there are a number of specialist gutter cleaning tools available that can help to speed up the process and make it more efficient. For example, there are gutter cleaning scoops available that are designed to fit into the narrow spaces of clogged gutters and remove any debris that has built up over time. They are usually made from plastic and come in a variety of shapes, with some models being designed to fit into the seams of the gutter.
Another handy tool is the gutter vac pole. This device attaches to the end of a ladder and allows operators to vacuum up debris and wet leaves and then simply dispose of them. This eliminates the need to leave the ladder and can significantly reduce the risk of an accident occurring, particularly for inexperienced users.
Other more specialized gutter cleaning tools include the gutter sense tool, which is designed to grip onto clumps of wet debris such as moss and grit that can build up over time, preventing rainwater from draining away from roof tiles. It is easy to use and can be purchased for a relatively low cost.
Finally, there is the gutter hawg, which is a specially designed piece of equipment that can be attached to the end of a ladder to extend the reach of the operator. It is suitable for a range of tasks, including removing debris and cleaning gutters, as well as for scraping off moss and grit from the sides of buildings. The gutter hawg can be used in combination with a range of gutter cleaning attachments, allowing the operator to adapt the tool for different types of jobs.
Bring a Bucket Up the Ladder
If you want to keep your gutters clean, they will need to be cleared regularly of debris. This prevents water from flowing down the sides of your house, which can cause damage to your foundation, drywall, and other structures. Regular cleaning also keeps the downspouts clear, so they can effectively direct water away from your home. Gutter cleaning is a chore that requires some effort, but it’s worth the effort to avoid costly and time-consuming repairs.
To make this task a little less daunting, it’s a good idea to bring a bucket up the ladder while you’re cleaning your gutters. This will allow you to collect the gunk as you go and dump it in the bucket when full. If your ladder has a paint-can shelf or a hook to hang the bucket, you’ll be able to easily transport it up and down the ladder as needed. If your ladder doesn’t have a place to hold a bucket, you can lay a tarp on the ground and shovel the gutter gunk into it as you work.
It’s important to keep in mind that you should always work safely when climbing a ladder to clean your gutters. Even with a safe ladder, it’s possible to fall from heights or damage your house when not taking the proper precautions. Always inspect the ladder before use and have someone else hold it at the base while you climb.
A simple ladder and a pair of gloves will get the job done for most homeowners, but for stubborn clogs or packed in dirt, you’ll need to invest in a few more tools. An eco-friendly cleaning solution will break down dirt, and a pressure washer can help get your gutters spotless.
Cleaning your gutters is a messy, time-consuming chore that’s best completed with the help of an experienced and trained team. With a few safety tips and the right tools, however, this task can be made a little easier and much more efficient. If you’re interested in hiring a professional to handle your gutter cleaning needs, contact a local contractor for more information and quotes.
Get a Helper
Gutter cleaning is a job best left to professionals who know how to do it safely and efficiently. They can also help homeowners save money by preventing damage caused by clogged gutters.
A few simple tips can make the task a lot easier. First, it’s a good idea to wait for a day that is not rainy or windy. If there’s a lot of moisture in the air, it can cause debris to freeze inside the gutter. This can be quite damaging, so it’s important to avoid this.
Secondly, it’s important to wear gloves and protective eyewear. This will protect against dirty, rotting leaves and other debris. It will also prevent painful cuts from torn metal shards. Gloves can be purchased at most hardware stores. A gutter scoop is a good tool for removing debris, but a child’s plastic sandbox shovel or even an old kitchen spatula will work just as well. It’s a good idea to spread a tarp under the ladder to catch any falling debris.
It’s also a good idea to wear thick, sturdy work shoes. This will provide more traction and prevent slipping on the ladder. Finally, it’s a good idea to get someone to help out. A helper can be very useful in keeping the ladder steady and helping to hand out tools when needed.
Clogged gutters can lead to a number of problems, including basement flooding, mold buildup, and roof leaks. In addition, they can also be unsightly and obstruct the view of your home. Clean, functioning gutters will help to keep your property safe and attractive, and it can also help to increase the value of your home if you’re planning to sell it.
If you’re comfortable working on a ladder and are experienced with gutter cleaning, it may be a cost-effective weekend project for you to tackle. However, if you’d rather avoid the dangers of climbing a ladder and would rather have your gutters cleaned by a professional, consider using an online service like Checkatrade or Trust a Trader to find a local trader who offers this service.