5 Tips for Cleaning Out Your Gutter
Well-functioning gutters not only help keep you from getting drenched when you dash out the door, they also help preserve your roof and foundations. Keeping gutters clean so that water can’t build up where leaves and other debris collect is an investment in keeping your home’s value high. Here are 5 tips for cleaning your gutter.
1. Consider installing gutter guards. Installing gutter guards on clean gutters will keep your gutters clean for as long as possible, meaning less time spent on a ladder mucking out dead leaves.
2. Ensure that safety comes first. Use a sturdy ladder of the proper height. Follow any directions printed on your ladder, and keep your eye out for dangers. You may never have noticed an electrical line until you’re face to face with it at gutter cleaning time. Also beware of hidden hazards like bees’ nests.
3. Wear well-fitting work gloves and use a hose to clear your gutters. Start at the end that doesn’t have a spout and work toward the other end. Don’t stand on the roof, stand on the ladder so that the gutters are at a comfortable height for cleaning.
4. Check each gutter section to find any loose segments. If gutter spikes are missing, you can replace them with lag bolts. For safety, carry lag bolts in your pocket or in a work apron rather than your hand.
5. Use your hose to spray water down the gutter spout to clear it. If it’s clogged, you can usually clean out both ends and successfully spray out the clog in the middle. If not, you may have no choice but to disassemble the spout and clean each segment. Clean spouts are vital for preventing water from backing up.
Gutter cleaning is a chore nobody likes, but installing gutter guards can significantly cut down on the need for gutter cleaning.
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