As we head further into spring, you are likely experiencing a build-up in your gutter system from dead winter leaves to fresh tree blossoms. Rather than waiting until you have a problem, we recommend adding “clean the gutters” to your spring home maintenance checklist.
Why is it Important to Regularly Clean Gutters?
Regularly cleaning your gutters is vital to the health of your home. Gutters act as protectors to your exterior walls and home foundation from the destructive power of rain. However, if your gutters are clogged or damaged, they can’t properly do their job.
When this happens, you could experience severe water damage to the outside of your home that could even leak down into your foundation, costing you thousands upon thousands of dollars to repair. Instead of risking that mess, you can simply take the time to clean your gutters regularly.
How Often Should I Clean My Gutters?
The answer to this question greatly depends on your home and surrounding environment. If your property has even one tree close by, you will likely have a greater need than someone living in the flat desert. Therefore, we recommend cleaning your gutters each spring at a minimum. If it is your first year living in this home, we advise taking a peek at your gutters at the end of each season. You know that it’s time for another clean if you see build-up. It may turn out that you need to clean your gutters two or even three times a year.
How to DIY Cleaning Gutters
Step #1: Grab a Buddy
Before you even step onto your roof, we highly recommend grabbing a buddy. Getting up on a roof is one of the most dangerous acts for a homeowner, with deadly falls occurring every year. Having a buddy adds a layer of security, someone to hold the ladder and be there in case of an accident.
Step #2: Assess the Situation
Before you start cleaning, it is vital to take a moment to assess your gutter situation and identify your blockages. If twigs or leaves block your gutters, that is an easy fix. However, if you have dirt, seedlings, moss, or other organic matter causing the clog, you will need a more aggressive removal technique.
Step #3: Start at the Downspout
The next step is cleaning the downspout. Remove any large debris with gloves. Then, check for other clogs by feeding a hose up the downspout and washing everything away. Plus, make sure to clean the downspout strainers thoroughly.
Step #4: Remove Debris
Using a trowel, gloves, and bucket, remove the rest of the larger debris from the rest of the gutter system. If you need more than that to get the job done, you may need to use a pressure washer to get it out.
When using a pressure washer, keep in mind to be careful not to damage the gutters and to clean the roof and side of the house after since there will be splatter.
Step #5: Flush the Gutters
After you have removed all the larger debris, flush the finer waste down the downspout. We recommend letting the water run for a couple of minutes to ensure everything gets swept away.
Lance Roofing
Do your gutters need repair or replacement? Give us a call today to learn more!