Gutter Cleaning

Gutters are a vital part of every home.

They direct water away from walkways, landscaping, and your home’s foundation. However, the gutters may get clogged from accumulated debris after some time. That is why it’s essential to clean your gutters at least twice a year to keep your home in prime condition. Follow these tips to clean your home gutters safely and effectively.

Ensure Your Home is Ready for Gutter Cleaning

Make sure that you prepare your work area prior to starting your gutter cleanup. Laying out a large tarp to collect the debris will prevent from making a mess all over your yard. You will need a ladder that you can move easily as you move down the length of your gutters. Ensure that you are climbing your ladder on a level and solid surface and not against your gutters.

Protect Your Hands and Feet When you Clean Your Gutters

Protect yourself with sturdy work gloves and wear safe, non-slip shoes so you have good traction on the rungs of your ladder. Gloves prevent you from coming into contact with germs and bacteria in the debris.

Carry Everything Needed to Clean Your Gutters

Ensure that you have all the required tools you will need to clean your gutters and make any repairs while you are up there. Using a tool belt instead of stuffing the tools in your pocket can help prevent dropping tools and possible injuries. If you don’t have a tarp, you can hang a bucket on your ladder to collect the debris you scoop when you clean your gutters.

Start Cleaning

After your workstation is ready, start to clean your gutters by removing large chunks of debris with your gloved hands. Next, use a trowel or gutter scoop to scrape out the packed-in leaves and dirt. It’s better if you begin scooping debris closer to the downspout and move away from it as you progress.

Spray Away Gunk

When you’ve removed all the debris, use your hose and spray nozzle to rinse off dirt and other grime from your gutters. Spray from the end opposite the downspout so that water flows out of the gutters. You can also use a pressure washer for extra power. But remember to be careful not to spray under the shingles to avoid loosening them.

Check for Leaks in the Gutter System and Make Repairs

If your home gutters are warping or have several cracks, it’s essential to seal them right away. If your downspout is blocked, feed your hose up and spray at maximum pressure to unclog it. If the paint on your gutter is chipped, repaint them to look as good as new. For gutters with serious damage, call a professional for a quote to replace them.

Regular gutter cleaning is necessary to prevent various problems around your home. And when the time comes to clean them, the above steps will help you to do the job safely and effectively.

Spartan Home Inspection provides home inspection services to the Tulsa area. Contact us to schedule an inspection.