Rain gutters are an important part of the exterior of your home. They prevent large icicles from forming and prevent any damage to your foundation. They protect the walls of your home and capture and divert water away from your home or landscaping. They reduce the number of puddles or icy areas on walkways.
Over time, clogged gutters can cause fascia boards and soffit to deteriorate and eventually rot. Keeping your rain gutters clean and clear of leaves and debris is absolutely necessary.
Here are some tips and tricks on how to clean your rain gutters.
Frequency
Your gutters should be clean out at least once a year. If you have large overhanging trees nearby, they should be cleaned twice yearly. If at any point your gutters become clogged, clean them right away or as soon as possible. Big storms and strong winds tend to fill up gutters quickly, so be sure to check them any time those occur.
How to Clean Your Gutters
Step 1: Get your gear on and ready. You’ll need a pair of gloves, some safety glasses, a ladder, a trowel or your favorite gutter cleaning tool, a couple of buckets (one for debris, the other for tools), a long garden hose and nozzle, and a long-sleeved shirt to protect your arms.
Step 2: Remove any and all gutter covers/guards.
Step 3: Starting near a downspout, remove the larger leaves and other debris with your hands, a trowel, or other tool and discard them. Keeping a bucket hooked to your ladder helps save you from treks up and down your ladder.
Step 4: Use your hose and nozzle or a gutter-cleaning attachment to clear out the finer material in your gutter.
Step 5: If your gutter is not draining, check for clogs in your downspout strainer or downspout.
Step 6: Verify your gutter is securely fastened and does not appear to be loose.
Step 7: Once your gutters are draining properly, be sure to replace the strainer and any guards removed.
Helpful Pro Tips
- Be sure to check the weather forecast prior to cleaning your gutters. Leaves and debris that have had time to dry out are much easier to clean.
- If you know there’s a leak but are unsure where it is, use a bucket to fill the gutter with water and watch for the leak. Just make sure you give the gutter time to dry before repairs take place.
- Add the leaves and other debris found in your gutters to your compost piles.
- Consider having leaf guards installed on your gutters. Leaf guards help keep leaves, pine needles, and other debris out of your gutters. There are several options to choose from and many solutions to accommodate your specific needs. Call M&M Gutters today for more information about leaf guards and available options.
Safety
It is not recommended that you clean, maintain, or repair your gutters from your roof. You should always use a firmly planted ladder and closely follow ladder safety instructions and recommendations. Make sure the ground below the ladder is clear. Firmly attach your buckets to your ladder with hooks.