(Newswire.net — September 3, 2019) — Cleaning your gutters is an essential part of roof maintenance. Failing to have your gutters cleaned, on the other hand, can result in poor drainage, damage and costly repairs. You can always hire professionals to inspect and clean your gutters but doing it on your own will save you lots of cash. However, you need to do it safely. Here are a few tips for cleaning out gutters.
Tips for Cleaning Out Gutters
This article outlines some of the basic tips for cleaning out your gutters. It also focuses on safety precautions you need to take If you decide to do it on your own.
Clean Off the Roof
Power wash or rake all debris off the roof first. Debris left on the roof can be washed off by the next rain and end up in the clean gutters. Debris on your roof can also result in water damming up around HVAC equipment, around the chimney or up in valleys, which can cause roof leaks and erosion over time.
Practice Ladder Safety
If you’ll be using a ladder to work on your gutters, make sure someone knows. Use a safe, sturdy ladder that’s strong enough to support your weight and about a 5 gallon bucket to collect debris. Consider a four-legged step ladder and avoid orchard and wooden ladders when you’re cleaning or repairing your gutters.
Utilize a Garden Hose
Use a garden hose that will make it easy to adjust the water pressure with a single hand to remove any pigeon feces from them being on your roof or other items clogging your gutters. One with a pistol-grip trigger should suffice. You can purchase one at your local hardware store.
Get A Gutter Scoop
The best way to clean out gutters is to scoop out leafy debris so they can properly do what gutters do. For this job, use a plastic scooping tool which you can purchase at most hardware stores. Steer clear of metal scooping tools as they’re likely to scratch and damage the bottom of the gutter and seams.
Protect Your Hands
Invest in a good pair of gloves to help protect your hands from rotting debris, droppings and even cuts. It’s advisable to go for a thick, suede glove material because it’s superior to rubber gloves, thin leather or cotton.
Protect Your Eyes
Protecting your eyes is critical because you never know what might fly in the air as you’re cleaning the gutters. It’s not uncommon for birds, frogs, bees, wasps and even rats to fly out of the downspout at high speeds. That’s why it’s important to have some eye protection.
Consider Rubber Shoes
If you must walk on the roof to clean your gutters, then it’s advisable to use rubber sole shoes. These have been shown to adhere best to prevent slipping and falling. Your rooftop is likely to be moist in the morning so its best to wait till the sun has dried up all the moisture, preferably in the late mornings or early afternoons.
Bottom Line
Be sure to clean your gutters at least twice a year. Follow these tips for cleaning out gutters once in autumn and again in the spring as a basic roofing tip. The main reason for keeping them clean is to eliminate the possibility of water damage resulting from rainwater runoff due to a clogged gutter. Another critical reason to ensure your gutters are clean is to reduce the possibility of rust.