Cleaning Up Your Gutters
Posted September 25th, 2009 by woodrowIn a matter of weeks, leaves and other debris will start to gather in your rain gutters. Most home-improvement experts recommend that you clean out your gutters every spring and fall. Clogged gutters can cause so many woes that it’s worth your effort to clear them or install guards to block falling debris. You can clean them yourself with a ladder and hand-made scoop. But if you’re unwilling to do it, at least call in a service to handle the job.
Here’s why. If you have siding, continuous leaks from the roof can warp them or create mold issues that affect your entire family. Pooling water in your gutter can rust metal gutters or rot wooden ones. In the worst-case scenario, clogged gutters and faulty drainpipes can funnel runoff down your exterior walls and into your foundation. Freezing water in winter can actually crack the foundation and then you have real expenses.
How to Clean Out Your Gutters
First, round up your tools, including a sturdy extension ladder, work gloves, protective goggles, a hand scoop, and plenty of bags to round up waste. Some people use pressure washers or a leaf blower, but in some cases, nothing suffices better than a scoop and elbow grease. Pay attention to how you set up and move your ladder; it can be the most important safety measure in cleaning gutters.
You can buy a gutter scoop, but many homeowners simple make one by slicing the bottom from a empty bleach container—or you can use a trowel. If you plan on dumping the debris into a bucket, be sure to attach it to the ladder, rather than hang it from the gutter, causing warp or bends. Clean from the side of the gutter that attaches to the downspout, moving away from the opening. This can prevent clogging of the gutter and downspout.
Pressure Cleaning Gutters
If you decide on using a pressure washer, you’ll spare injury or potentially fatal falls by using a harness or lanyard. It can be more work than necessary to get the job done.
No matter what, be sure to check the positioning of your ladder to avoid power lines. Consider buying a ladder stay that allows you to position the ladder against the wall, rather than putting pressure against the gutter. Use a hose to clear your downspouts but never force debris through them. You can end up creating a logjam in the middle or bend in a spout, and then you may have to replace it.
After the cleaning, inspect the downspouts and gutters for cracks. A special gutter sealant can easily patch the leaks, but avoid creating ridges that can block the flow.
Tags: cleaning, downspouts, gutters, maintenance
Loading ...
September 25th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Perhaps your readers would be interested in knowing that there is an easier, faster, safer, and cleaner method of keeping rain gutters clean and doing then do it more often. The new, DIY Gutter Clutter Buster, attachment tool for wet/dry vacuums with a 2-1/2″ hose, is durable, lightweight, and gets the job done in 1/2 the time of other methods.
You can see for yourself how this new gutter cleaning tool saves you time, money, energy, and after you vacuum out all debris, wet or dry, snow or sand, leaves or pine needles, roof gravel or bird nests, you can empty your vac canister directly into a compost pile or around your plants for extra mulch. Save extra money on watering your plants less often and you need no potable water, ladders, blowers, scoops, buckets, scrapers, tongs, or other tools.
September 27th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
The safety tips in this blog must not be overlooked. I’ve had several close calls myself, and I’m a trained pro. I can only imagine how many emergency room visits are caused by falling ladders and unstable positions. I’m calling out to all DIYers…do it right, do it safely.