Gutters protect your siding, landscaping, and home’s foundation from water. With proper care and maintenance, the gutters direct water away from your home. However, it’s vital to keep them clean, or you risk damage to your property. Here are a few tips on how to clean your gutters effectively.
Set Yourself Up for Safety When Cleaning Your Gutters
You will climb a ladder to reach the gutters, so safety should be a priority. Make sure your ladder is tall enough or is capable of being extended. Place the ladder in a secure, level spot so that it’s stable and recruit a family member or neighbor to hold the ladder while you work. Dress appropriately in long pants, long sleeves, and gloves because the job will be messy.
Scoop Out Debris
Use a plastic scoop to remove dirt, leaves, and other debris from the guttering. Place a large tarp underneath your area to collect twigs and dirt. Reposition the ladder as you work along the gutter until you have removed all debris with either a scoop or your hands.
To Clean Your Gutters, Flush Them with Water
After removing debris from the gutters, use a hose and turn up the pressure. Spray the gutters and downspouts to finish the job, making sure the water is flowing freely. Look for possible leaks and make any needed repairs to the guttering. Descend the latter and throw away any leaves, twigs, or dirt that you left behind on the tarp. You can reuse the decaying leaves for mulching or put them in your compost pile.
Call a Professional to Clean Your Gutters
Some of us know how important it is to clean gutters, but are physically limited or don’t want to risk injury. If you find yourself in this situation, call a gutter cleaning company to handle the task for you.
Be proactive when it comes to maintaining your gutters to reduce the risk of damage to the home.
Assure Home Inspection provides home inspections in the Chicago metropolitan area and the south and west suburbs. Contact us to schedule our services.