Did you know that most professionals suggest that you should clean your gutters at least twice a year, if not more? At this time of year, this fact is more important to consider than ever.
With the winter season drawing ever closer, it’s vital to ensure your gutters are properly cleaned. Adverse weather conditions and the buildup of debris and leaves that can congregate in the autumn can clog your gutters worse than any other time of year.
In this article, we will explain exactly how to clean your gutters, leaving the outside of your home looking sparkling clean!
What Are the Benefits of Gutter Cleaning?
Gutters are the overhanging eaves that line the roof system. They accumulate the excess rainwater and control the flow of it so that it runs away from the house. This is so your roof, walls, and foundations are protected from the additional water and don’t suffer from damage and dampness.
If your gutters are blocked or congested with excess debris and leaves, this is where problems begin to arise. This will prevent the gutters from doing their job, and the water will start to build up in the gutters and spill out onto the walls and the roof.
If left untreated, this can have a severe impact on the structural part of your house and could mean that you need to get the roof replaced or moisture could get into the walls.
Gutter cleaning should be prioritized at certain times of the year, such as spring and autumn. This is because in spring, lots of trees are casting seeds and pollen, which can clog up the drains. In autumn, there also tends to be a lot of falling leaves that can quickly build up and turn into mulch.
If you want to learn more about how often you should clean your gutters, read on here.
How to Clean Your Gutters
Cleaning your gutters and downspouts is a relatively easy job if you have the right equipment and don’t leave it too long between each cleaning. You will need a sturdy ladder with an extension part in order for you to reach the height of your gutters comfortably.
Make sure your ladder rests on a level piece of ground, which will hold your weight and not shake the ladder. Don’t overreach when you are scooping the leaves; it’s always best to move the ladder rather than underextend yourself and risk injury.
Place a piece of plastic tarp on the ground next to your gutter, big enough to catch all of the debris. Once you have this on the ground, simply climb up the ladder and scoop all the debris and drop it into the plastic tarp.
Repeat this several times around your home until all the gutter space is cleared. Once the tarp is full of leaves, you can take the debris to a compost bin and deposit the waste into it.
This is also a good time to check whether any part of the gutter is broken or damaged. If you identify any parts that are, you can call a professional to come and mend them.
Keep Your Gutters Clean
We hope this article on how to clean your gutters has given you all the information you need to attempt it yourself.
The key thing is that you do regular checks and clean to prevent any build-up or debris from clogging your gutters and causing damage to your home. It’s much easier than having to replace an entire roof!
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