Tips for Doing Gutter Cleaning Yourself
I’m not sure anyone gets excited about cleaning their eavestroughs. While it’s a task that most people dread, it is very important for the maintenance of your property. Gutter cleaning may not make you want to jump with joy, but there are ways to make it easier for yourself. We’ve come up with 8 tips to make DIY gutter cleaning less stressful, not as physically demanding, and helpful in preventing expensive repairs.
1. Get an Assistant
Invite a friend, spouse, partner, or teen to assist with gutter cleaning. A second pair of eyes and hands are absolutely necessary, whether they are holding the ladder, shifting a tarp, or giving up tools. Make sure it’s someone you can trust because roofs and ladders are inherently unsafe.
2. Invest in Leaf Filters or Gutter Guards
Gutter guards work to keep leaves and debris out of eavestroughs while still allowing water to flow through. While leaf filters can be DIYed, it’s best to leave the job to the professionals. At A&K Gutter Service, our contractors are experts in gutter guard installations and can help protect your home.
3. Follow a Regular Schedule
In general, gutter cleaning is required twice a year, both before and after the leaf-falling season. However, the home’s landscaping has a significant impact. A house with a lot of trees nearby might require gutter cleaning four to six times a year. To always remember to keep up with your gutter cleanings, set reminders on your phone.
4. Use Water Power
An easy, quick way to clean your gutters is by using a pressure washer. To prevent harm to the gutters, use the pressure washer on a low setting. And before you begin, inspect the gutter hardware to make sure there aren’t any loose screws that could snap under stress.
5. Use a Leaf Blower
Leaf blowers are also a great, easy way to clear gutters. Gutter kits are produced by several manufacturers to fit their blowers. Additionally, there are all-purpose blower gutter cleaning kits that come with extension wands and angled tubing. Some kits come with enough extensions to do without a ladder.
6. Trim or Cut Down Trees Near the Roofline
To stop leaves and other debris from falling into the gutters in the first place, prune branches and trees that are close to the rooftop. No matter what you do, some leaves and twigs will end up in your eavestroughs. However, keeping the landscaping around your roof will keep you from cleaning your gutters more frequently.
7. Always be Inspecting your Gutters
Gutters can fill up really quickly. During each inspection, keep an eye out for ice dams in the winter, dangling gutters, broken downspouts, and other issues. Sometimes being proactive will help you avoid having to work too hard later.
8. Invest in the Proper Tools
Sometimes it’s preferable to clean the gutters the old-fashioned way. But if you’re going to do it, make sure you have the correct tools. To get started, you’ll need a strong ladder, a gutter scoop or garden trowel, gloves, and a tarp to throw debris onto.