It’s not a job that anyone looks forward to, but it’s one of the most important things you can do in the fall for your home. Cleaning the gutters can take a little while, but if they aren’t cleaned, water can build up next to your home and cause rot on wooden surfaces, pull off the gutters from the weight or allow ice dams to build up, potentially ruining your roof.
While there’s no simple way to clean gutters, a few tips can make the job easier and ensure your safety.
You’ll need a few supplies to get started. There are all kinds of tools that you can use these days, including attachments to a shop vacuum, extension poles or even robots, but the simplest, most efficient way to do it is still by hand. You’ll want to wear work gloves when cleaning gutters to protect your hands from sticks and other sharp objects and animal waste.
Ladder safety is of paramount importance when cleaning gutters, and the best way to keep a ladder stable while working on it is to have someone hold it at the bottom. Because you’ll need to be up at the height of the gutters, you’ll want to have a stand-off for your ladder, keeping it from damaging your gutters in the process.
If you don’t have a ladder yourself, then it might be time to invest in one. Better yet, see if you can borrow a neighbor’s. Of course, they’ll be more willing to lend you their tools if you offer to help them with their own work. That way, you can trade time for money and get to know your neighbor in the process.
Scoop the debris out. You can do that with your hands or a trowel. Tie a trash bag or compost bucket to your ladder to hold the refuse. Once you have the majority of the material out, take a garden hose, set it to the highest pressure you can and wash down the gutters towards the downspout.
You might then have to auger out the downspouts to keep them from backing up.
If you haven’t done it yet and live in an area of heavy debris, consider installing leaf guards at the top of your downspouts to prevent debris from entering. If you have large, mature trees around your home, you might have to clean more than once each season.
If you’re unable to do the job yourself, look into having a neighbor or professional handyman do the work for you. A small amount of effort keeping those gutters clean can save you significant money in the long run.
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