Tips on gutter cleaning

Gutter cleaning requires a high degree of safety consideration. Since your gutters are attached to the roof or awnings of some kind, think about your safety before you decide to clean the gutters yourself. Because of the height as well as the odd angles, you would be well advised to have a friend or family member assist you with the ladders, blowers and clean up. If you really don’t feel safe doing it, then enlist the help of a professional.

There are several ways to do the annual rain gutter cleaning. No matter your chosen approach, the first step is to assess the state of the gutters, determining whether any clogs exist, and if so, their cause. Twigs and dry leaves are easy enough to clear away, but if your gutters are obstructed by dirt or decomposed organic matter (or even small seedlings), a relatively aggressive removal method may be in order. Let’s look at a few approaches on how to clean gutters.

The most straightforward gutter cleaning method is to climb a ladder onto the roof and walk along the edge, blowing the leaves out of the gutter as you go. This is very dangerous, however, a safer method is to use an extension kit. This extends and curves your leaf blowers reach, so you can perform the roof gutter cleaning while standing on the ground. You must wear goggles when using this method, as you are standing directly below all that gets blown out.

Do the gutter cleaning all at once by vacuuming the leaves and gunk with a wet/dry leaf vacuum You can accomplish this by standing on a ladder or purchase an extension kit for the leaf vacuum from your local hardware or garden supply store that will allow you to reach the gutters from the ground.

If you have a lot of debris that is wet and messy, a better method may be to use a pressure washer because of the force of the water. Experts recommend using a telescoping wand with a u-shaped attachment at the end, so you get the best angle and leverage when cleaning out gutters from ground level. This works well with clogged downspouts as well.

So long as they are not thoroughly clogged, you can clean your gutters successfully with a garden hose. If the hose is equipped with the right attachment (a rigid tube with a curved end), you can stand on the ground, not on a ladder, as you work. Again, start at the end farthest from the downspout and flush the length of the channel; remove any residual material by hand before it dries out.

We hope you enjoyed our tips on gutter cleaning. Don’t forget to check out our cleaning tips such as how to clean windows, how to clean a washing machine and how to unclog a sink.

Keep your outdoor spaces protected by using the Jeyes Patio & Decking power 4in1 which helps to remove clogged up algae, mildew or mould.