FROM GARGOYLES TO ALUMINUM: A HISTORY OF RAIN GUTTERS
Rain gutters are an essential structural component in protecting your home against water damage. But where exactly did this architectural
5 WAYS TO CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS
That Gutter Company is here to help you! Gutters are crucial in keeping water
away from your house, but to do their job properly, they need to be
free of clogging dirt and debris. Fortunately, you have a number of
options for cleaning them out—and some don’t even require a ladder!
Of all the necessary evils that go into a diligent fall maintenance
routine, cleaning the gutters may be the most dreaded of all. Tedious
though this task is, homeowners are wise not to neglect it: Properly
functioning gutters, after all, help ensure that storm water does not
find its way inside.
There are several ways to get the job done. 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.
Here are a few of the most common and effective ways to clean
gutters with That Gutter Company.
How to Clean Gutters With a Leaf Blower
Many leaf blowers come with a nozzle attachment designed to release
a narrow stream of air, perfect for the purpose of gutter cleaning.
Position your ladder so that you can work gradually toward the
downspout, blowing out obstructions as you go. (Be careful to avoid
blowing leaves into the downspout.) As a final step, remove any
lingering leaves or twigs with a hose. Don’t want to stand on a ladder?
A specialized attachment can extend the reach of your leaf blower.
How to Clean Gutters With a Wet/Dry Vacuum
To remove heavier debris from your gutters, experiment with a wet/dry
vacuum. Your local home improvement retail store likely carries the
hoses and curved attachments you need to reach the obstructed
gutters from a standing position on the ground. Stubborn, stuck-on dirt
may need to be moistened before it succumbs to the vacuum. Again,
once you’ve removed the bulk of the material, flush the gutters and
downspout with water from a garden hose.
How to Clean Gutters With a Power Washer
Has it been a long while since you last cleaned your gutters? A layer
of dirt and debris may have built up over time. Blast it away with the
fine-spray nozzle of your power washer. (This type of cleaning can get
messy; be prepared to rinse the roof and exterior walls afterward.) For
clogged downspouts in particular, there’s no better recourse than a
pressure washer. Simply point the nozzle down the hole and rinse the
shaft until water can run freely through it.
How to Clean Gutters With a Garden Hose
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.
How to Clean Gutters by Hand
To clean gutters by hand, you’ll need a ladder, bucket, gutter scoop (or
garden trowel), and heavy-duty work gloves. Little by little, take out the
leaves and debris, placing what you remove into the bucket. Finally,
flush the gutters and downspout with water until you are certain both
are functioning properly. Tip: If your downspouts are clogged and you
don’t have a power washer, try busting through the obstruction with a
plumber’s snake, then rinse with a hose.
Consider installing a screen or barrier on top of your gutters—known
as gutter guards)—to prevent leaves and debris from accumulating
over the course of the year. Remember what they say about an ounce
of prevention! Let That Gutter Company help you out today!
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