Cleaning and Maintaining Gutters and Downspouts

How to Clean Gutters:

Introduction:

Cleaning  and maintaining gutters and downspouts is important to prevent the water coming off your roof from damage your home. A gutters and downspout must be cleared of leaves and debris periodically. If they aren’t, drain outlets will dam up and rainwater will fill the gutters, back up, overflow, and may pull gutters loose from the house.

Water will then run down the side of your home seeping in around the siding, doors, windows, and collecting around the foundation and possibly adding to a wet basement. You can hire a gutter cleaning service to clean your gutters, but doing the work as a DIY project can save you approximately $200 or more.

You should clean your gutters and downspouts at least twice a year, more often if the roof is directly beneath trees. Do not perform this task if you cannot work safely from a ladder or from the rooftop. If your roof is higher than a single story, you may want to consider hiring a professional service to do the job. When using a ladder select a sturdy ladder and place firmly on level ground. If you have a one story house a tall stepladder may be better than an extension ladder. If you must lean an extension ladder against a gutter, protect the gutter from bending by using standoff brackets on the ladder.

The following cautions should be exercised when cleaning gutters:

• Use caution when positioning the ladder to avoid any overhead power lines and never stand on the top two rungs of any ladder.

• If you’re comfortable working from the rooftop and your roof has a low pitch, cleaning the gutters will be easier than working from a ladder. Do this under extremely safe conditions.

• Never work on the roof if it is wet, icy, or in windy conditions.

• Wear non-slip shoes, and do not lean over the edge or get near power lines.

• Wear work gloves to protect your hands as gutters often have sharp metal parts or screw points sticking out into their troughs.

• \Wear safety glasses or goggles if necessary.

• If you use a leaf-blower be extremely careful in maintaining your balance and wear safety goggles.

How to clean gutters:

• Position your ladder on solid ground.

• Scoop out leaves and loose debris working your way around the roof.

• Use a garden hose to flush out the gutters and downspouts.

• When flushing the downspouts start either from the top or the bottom. This may get a little messy so wear safety goggles.

• You may have to push the hose up or down the inside of the downspout to clear obstructions.