As the end of the year approaches, there are more and more rainy days. This means that weather like this puts our homes in front of challenges, and one of the most important items is regular gutter cleaning. Don’t just focus on other household chores that are in front of your eyes. Make sure you regularly maintain hard-to-reach places in your house, such as a gutter. It must be in good condition and clean throughout the year. That is why it is important to pay attention to it before the beginning of heavy rainfall and during the winter months. However, there is one period of the year that is best for gutter maintenance.
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What do I need to clean the gutters?
This procedure is actually very simple, but it requires that you have adequate equipment with you. The most important thing is to use ladders that are stable enough, to have a person by your side who will hold them and supervise your work, but also to own the rest of the equipment. This applies to gloves and the necessary tools. You can use a plastic brush for cleaning purposes and it would be ideal if it has a longer handle. With it, you will be able to clean a longer length of gutters in just one stroke, which means that you will not have to get off the ladder many times and move them. In addition, you can take a plastic bag and collect the leaves by hand and put it in it. Do not be surprised if you find a lot of dirt in your gutter, because you will surely find a lot of soil in the neglected gutters. It happens that plants that grow from it also appear there. However, gutters that are regularly maintained will not require much effort when it comes to cleaning. If you left you gutters for years without cleaning, we suggest you check this and find professional help.
How to remove all the dirt from the gutter?
If you have removed the leaves, earth and other things that have accumulated on your gutter over time, you can proceed to the next step. This refers to the complete removal of impurities, and you will achieve that with the help of a hose of water from the garden hose. All you have to do is point it at the gutter and remove all the small dirt. Start releasing water from the middle of the roof, and direct it towards the ends and vertical lines. So, it is necessary to direct the jet to the side where the gutter falls so that you do not just return the dirt to yourself.
Don’t forget to make sure that there is nothing left of large dirt before this, because it often happens that the gutters become clogged. This occurs most often in vertical waters that have folds. Fortunately, there is a solution in the form of a cable. You would normally use it to unclog drains in the kitchen or bathroom, but now you can use it for the purpose of cleaning gutters. This cable is very smooth and has the shape of a fine spring which means it will not damage the gutter. No matter which gutter you have, plastic or sheet metal, be careful not to use tools that can damage it. For example, these are steel brushes, metal spatulas, etc.
What period of the year is best for gutter cleaning?
People usually do this in the fall, and that is really the best time of the year. When cleaning, the most important thing is to focus on removing twigs, leaves and other large debris. So avoid clogging the drain. It is necessary to emphasize that the frequency of cleaning will depend mostly on the place where you live, but also on the weather conditions. Windstorms will often bring debris to your gutter. Homes with a lot of trees will also have to clean more often than those that do not have trees. That is why it is best to clean them regularly, but also to check them regularly. This way, you won’t have to spend a lot of time cleaning them, but you will also prevent major damage. If you notice pests, it is another warning sign that you must not ignore. This means that your gutters have a problem that you need to fix as soon as possible.
Why is it important to maintain gutters regularly?
You can never pay too much attention to this part of your home. For example, if your gutters become clogged, you may run into various problems. This refers to the accumulation of too much water, water leakage from the roof and causing enormous damage. Also, debris that accumulates over time becomes too heavy for the mounting brackets. It happens that the gutters start to fall off your house, but they can damage your siding or windows as they collapse. So, the point of cleaning is to keep them in good condition so that no previous damage occurs. You can also upgrade your gutter with a protection system. For example, install a built-in curved hood and prevent clogging. It is best to hire experts who will regularly check your gutters, but also clean them.
That way you will be sure that everything is done properly. They will have the necessary knowledge, experience and equipment. Do it very quickly and with as little clutter as possible unlike you. Every homeowner should act responsibly in this situation, because neglected gutters have too much moisture, which leads to serious problems such as a cracked foundation or mold growth. Gutters in this condition very often attract insects and rodents, and solving such problems can be very expensive. This will cost you even more if you experience several different problems. That is why it is better to set aside a little time and effort for routine cleaning.
Conclusion
If you do this yourself, remember that gutter cleaning can also be dangerous if you are not prepared enough. Therefore, always take appropriate precautions. If you feel insecure because of the height or the ladder, it is always better to call a professional. Due to fear of height, you can do a very bad job, but you can also put yourself in danger. Also inspect your equipment before starting work, as damaged ladders pose a great danger. Always wear eye protection and gloves.