Gutter maintenance. Those two words often strike fear and trepidation into the hearts of even the most seasoned DIY homeowner. Every fall and spring, gutters should be cleared of debris so they can drain freely. If rainwater can’t drain, it will pool around the drain outlets and overflow, which could eventually cause the gutters to pull away from the house and the wood to rot behind them. If enough water builds up, it can push its way into the house. While gutter maintenance is inconvenient, it’s preferable to a leaky roof. Keep reading for some tips to help the process go more smoothly.
- Ladders. Make sure you choose a sturdy one that will support your weight and isn’t too difficult to carry, since cleaning out the gutters will require multiple ladder repositions. Use a ladder shelf to hold a receptacle for gutter debris. If your gutters are higher than the first story, or you become nervous when climbing a ladder, it’s best to leave gutter maintenance to a professional.
- Protective Gear. This includes gloves, goggles, and a dust mask. Rubber gloves won’t absorb gutter sludge, and will protect your hands from animal droppings that are full of bacteria, as well as loose screws or sharp pieces of metal. The goggles and dust mask will protect you from anything that gets blasted out of clogged gutter downspouts. The last thing you want to experience while cleaning your gutters is an eye injury. Besides rotting leaves and mud, small creatures—including frogs, rats, bees, and wasps—are occasionally flushed out.
- Gutter Scoop. These bright orange, inexpensive plastic scoops are available at hardware stores. The front edge of the scoop is very thin and flexible, making it an effective tool for gutter cleaning. Do not use a metal scoop! The metal can scrape across the gutter seams, loosening the caulk that holds them together. If you have metal gutters, the metal-to-metal contact can introduce rust to otherwise healthy steel. If there are already some rusty spots, this will speed up the rusting process, which leads to leaky gutters and eventual replacement.
- Garden Hose. Once all the gutter grunge has been cleared, flush the gutters and downspouts with a garden hose. You can attach a pressure nozzle or sprayer for greater force and easier control. Direct the stream of water toward the downspout. If there is a clog in the downspout, you can use an auger (plumber’s snake) to clear it. It’s easy to check for leaks at this stage, when water is flowing freely through the gutters. If you mark them, you can easily patch and repair them once the gutter is dry.
The professional at Drain King are available to answer your questions on gutter cleaning and all other plumbing related issues.
