A storm or wind can clog your gutters and block water flow due to the accumulation of debris. Whether you want to clean the gutters of your home, apartment, or shop, this blog will explain the simple steps you need to follow to perform the cleaning job independently.
Importance of Cleaning Gutters
The benefits list of cleaning your gutters is long. Below are some of the top ones:
Save Your Roof
Top-condition gutters eliminate the costs of hefty roof repairs and keep your home dry even after rain. It will protect your roof from unexpected damage and won’t burdenize your pocket.
Prevent Fascia Damage
Fascia boards are the trim along your roofline, and they’re vulnerable to water damage when gutters are not functioning at their best. But when your gutters are clean you don’t have to worry about fascia damage at all.
Reduce Repairs
A tip-top gutter saves a lot of repair work you can’t even imagine. Yes, it reduces the need for costly repairs, including roof leaks, broken fascia boards, and more. So, one fix will return thousands in savings.
No More Ice Dams
In winter, ice dams can create a lot of trouble when the gutters are blocked. But if they’re clear, the ice will melt and pass through the gutters, causing no damage at all.
Prevents Water Damage
Water damage can be disastrous for your home’s interior, leading to leaks and causing mold growth inside and outside. That’s why if the gutters are in their best condition, there’s no way water will pool and cause any damage to your property.
Consider Your Gutters’ Health
Before you start the gutter clearance task, consider the condition of the gutters. Doing this inspection will save you time and effort.
- Cracks or Splits: If your gutters have cracks, you should install new gutters instead of continuing to use them further.
- Paint & Rust Issues: Peeling paint or rust means water has been sitting there for too long. Clear out the rusty spots and repaint them.
- Standing Water & Mold: If water pools or mold grows around the foundation, your gutters are clogged, and you must resolve the issue instantly.
- Water Damage: Water stains indicate a water leak. If you see them, it’s time to replace that leaky section.
- D-Shaped Gutters: Saggy gutters mean they’re expired and must be replaced.
However, if the cracks and damages are in multiple spots, we recommend changing the whole length instead of repairing them in patches. This may cost you some money but will give you peace of mind.
Tools You Need for Cleaning Gutters
- Extension ladder
- Gloves
- Glasses
- 2 Buckets
- Sealant
- Paint
- Hose
- Water
- Drill & Bits
- Wire hooks
- Ladder stabilizer
- Pressure washer (optional)
- Plumber’s snake (optional)
Steps to Clean Your Gutters the Right Way
Ready to clean out your gutters and unblock the waterways? Below are the steps for a hassle-free gutter-cleaning DIY project.
Climb Safely
The steps start with climbing. Since climbing a ladder is part of this cleaning project, you must take care of several things so they don’t get out of order. Make sure you follow these tips:
- Place the ladder on a solid surface.
- Keep your area limited.
- Always use a ladder stabilizer when you’re on an extension ladder.
- If you’re unable to climb or have a height phobia, don’t do this task.
Extract Debris
Once you reach the roof’s height and can access the gutters, it’s time to clean them. We recommend you have 2 buckets to add tools in one and other for debris collection. Start the debris extraction by wearing rubber gloves and glasses so the dirt stays away from your eyes. Now collect the leaves, debris, dirt, and small branches that are scattered on the gutter guards and entry points, blocking the pathways.
Flush Them
As soon as you remove the debris, flush the area with a garden hose. You can fix a spray nozzle that creates extra pressure and clean until you reach the downspout. If your water flow isn’t great, a pressure washer is recommended for high and constant flushing.
Clear the Downspouts
During the cleaning, if you realize the downspouts aren’t draining water as they should be, pay attention to them. These may be clogged too and are blocking the drainage. Here’s how to clean them:
- Put the hose on the drainage side.
- Now open the full valve of the hose.
- As soon as the water gets into the pipe, the pressure will break the clog and eventually gets drained.
- Hopefully, this will resolve the clog. If not, then you can use a plumber’s snake.
Note: If your downspout is hidden under the tiling system, only access the bottom end instead of removing all covers.
Check Gutter Slope
Now flush the gutter again and recheck the water flow. If you find leaks at joints and anywhere in the gutter’s body, fix them to avoid issues later on. Still water is not draining? It can be in the direction of the slope. The ideal slope alignment is ¼ after the interval of 10 feet moving to the downspout.
Wind Up Your Task
Finally, you must fix and seal the leaks properly with gutter sealant. Some minor touches, if needed, such as removing dirt and applying paint patches to the outer surface of the gutters, should be done. Also, integrate gutter screens to reduce your workload for the next cleaning cycle and save your time and effort.
Rockford Coastal Homes – Reliable Gutter Services
If your gutters are expired and damaged, it’s time to change them before they start damaging your property. Rockford Coastal Homes offers reliable gutter installation and maintenance services to keep your roofs and gutters in top condition. For an instant quote, contact us at +19127241902 or write to rockfordcoastalhomes@gmail.com. You can also consult our experts to get a tailored solution and get assistance for guaranteed solution.uring your residence stands strong for future years.
