Cleaning gutters probably isn’t anyone’s favorite task, but it’s an important aspect of home maintenance. Clogged gutters put your home at risk for pests, roofing problems, mold growth, and water damage, so it’s important to stay on top of a good cleaning routine. If you’re not sure where to start, then check out these tips for cleaning your gutters.
Get Help Cleaning the Gutters
Even if your house is only one story high, you’ll most likely need to climb a ladder to complete the work. Have a friend or family member help you with the task. They can hold the ladder and deliver cleaning tools that you may have forgotten. Also, it’s helpful to have someone to call for help in case of an emergency.
Stick to a Gutter Cleaning schedule
Most home maintenance experts recommend that you clean your gutters twice a year at a minimum. If you have trees around your home that shed leaves, you may need to clean them more frequently to remove accumulated debris.
Late spring and after the leaves fall are great times for cleaning gutters, so add this task to your home maintenance schedule.
Use Appropriate Gear
Protect yourself by wearing the right gear while cleaning the gutters. Debris-filled gutters can harbor pests like cockroaches, ants, and mosquitoes, so wear sturdy gloves and long sleeves. Protect your eyes from debris with a good pair of safety goggles. A dust mask helps keep dirt or insects from getting in your mouth and nose.
A Tarp is a Handy Tool When Cleaning the Gutters
Spread out a tarp below your work area to make your gutter cleaning job easier. Scoop the contents of your guttering into a five-gallon bucket and dump the bucket onto the tarp when it’s full. After cleaning the gutters, simply gather up the edges of your tarp to cart away the waste.
Rinse the Guttering
Once you have finished scooping the leaves and debris from your gutters, flush out any remaining matter with a garden hose. This step washes away any dirt and grime that would otherwise keep your gutters from flowing as they should.
Rinsing your gutters also helps clear away debris that has built up in your downspouts. Go the extra mile for functioning gutters by putting some river rocks or a concrete slab under your downspouts to prevent erosion.
Cleaning Gutters is Important for Home Maintenance
While it might be a tedious job, cleaning gutters is important to preserve your roofing materials and prevent mold and pest infestations. Clean your gutters at least twice a year using good safety practices. Make the job easier on yourself by collecting the debris on a tarp and rinsing your gutters afterward.
Quality Check Home Inspections offers home inspection services in Eugene, Oregon, and the coast. Contact us to request our services.