Cleaning and maintaining your gutters

We love the sound of rain on a spring day or snow on Christmas, but water returning to the house is something we don’t like. Your gutters have two functions: they control water flow from the roofline and direct it away. Failure to do so can cause mildew, damage to landscaping, damp basements, and leaky roofs. Although heavy rains, wind, and vegetal debris may cause gutter strain, costly repairs can be prevented by careful maintenance in Spring and Fall.

Gutter cleaning is not difficult, but it's important that you are safe and have help. You can let us handle it.

If you feel up to the task, set aside a sunny day for a ladder and a radio and get started. This simple guide will get you started. Rain, rain, go away.

1. Ensure your ladder is fit for the job

It's a great way to take a look at the surrounding area from high up. Before you start climbing up, make sure that the ladder is properly set up.

2. Assemble Your Tools

Work gloves are required for this job. A brush is also necessary. The use of knee pads is optional, but it can help you navigate rough terrain.

3. Clear the Gutters

Grab your gloves and other tools, and extract the leaf-twig debris from the gutters. To remove the compacted material, you can use a gutter scraper or similar tool. You should start close to a downspout. Be sure to clean and disassemble the strainer.

4. Flush Your Gutters

Attach a nozzle and spray with pressure to the hose after you have cleared out most of the debris. Spray the gutters using the stream facing toward the downspout. You can monitor for blockages and keep spraying the gutter until they are cleared.

5. Check Your Downspouts

Your downspout can sometimes become blocked, especially if the strainer becomes damaged. A blocked downspout can cause a slow flow or less water to the bottom.

Use your hose and spray directly into the spout. If the blockage is not cleared up, a plumber’s snake may need to be used. Continue working until water flows freely from gutters to downspouts.

6. General Maintenance

Now that your gutters have cleared, it is time to examine their structure and wear. Gutters should not be sagging or falling apart. You can either add supports or replace your gutters right away if necessary to save yourself some headaches later.

Use a gutter sealant to seal any cracks or holes. All mildew can be cleaned with a soapy sponge and painted where necessary. Gutter wear is a sign that gutters are not durable.