6 Tips for Cleaning Your Gutters

On average, home water damage costs around $3104 to repair. When you install and maintain a roof gutter system, you often save yourself this cost.

Roof gutters rarely get the attention they deserve in home maintenance, yet they're an indispensable component of a roofing system that protects its integrity. Gutters also play a crucial role in protecting the structural integrity of your building by diverting water away from the foundation and preventing erosion as well as basement flooding. However, gutters must remain clean and in tiptop shape to perform all these functions.

When you unclog the gutters in time, you can also prevent roof damage from ice dams. Debris removal also prevents pest infestation. Professionals recommend that you clean gutters twice every year or more frequently if your house is close to trees, in high rainfall areas, or in storm-prone regions. To clean your gutter regularly is a critical home maintenance approach, so you should get it right.

Discover some tips to guide you clean your gutters the right way.

1. Use a Strong Ladder

You need a ladder for support and easy access to clean any section of a roofing system. A stable ladder usually guarantees your safety and boosts efficiency. A four-legged ladder is more effective in preventing falls compared to a three-legged one. Choose a metal ladder, which is often sturdier compared to wooden ladders.

A ladder with shelves helps you organize your equipment safe while working. The positioning should also be in a stable place. A ladder stabilizer can add to the stability to prevent a fall. These ladder safety tips prevent accidents and also help you work more effectively.

2. Clean the Roof

Lots of dirt that accumulates in the gutters originates from the roof. To make gutter cleaning work easier, you should first clean your roof with a hard-bristled brush. You now have guarantee your gutters stay clean for an extended period.

3. Use a Gutter Scoop

A plastic gutter scoop comes in handy to remove the leafy debris. The scoop has a sharp front edge to help you take out the toughest of debris from the trough. Don't use a metal scoop as it can scrape off the gutter's bottom or destroy the seams of the drainage system.

4. Use an Adjustable Nozzle

A garden hose with an adjustable nozzle is perfect for washing a gutter. The pistol-grip nozzle gives high pressure to push debris out. The nozzle lets you regulate water pressure without difficulties. A flat jet nozzle is also an excellent option to spray water in a fan pattern, so you can clean all surfaces at a go. It covers a broader area and helps you to perfectly rinse your gutters.

5. Wear Protective Clothing

Cleaning gutters without protective clothing is risky. For a start, wear gloves to protect your hands from sharp objects that may be in the debris. The protective gear also prevents injuries from sharp metal gutter edges.

Bird, rodent, and other droppings in the gutter debris may contain bacteria. Wearing gloves when cleaning the gutters protects you from the risk of diseases from such bacteria.

When choosing cleaning gloves, go for thick suede gloves rather than cotton or rubber gloves. Thick suede gloves withstand most elements and offer maximum protection. Cotton gloves absorb dirty water from the debris and so expose your hands to pathogens. On the other hand, rubber gloves tear easily and expose your hands to hazards.

6. Paint After Cleaning

Metal gutters are susceptible to rust, and for this reason, you should carry out some post-cleaning care. Painting the gutters prevents the oxidation process that causes rusting. Make sure you dry the surface completely before you paint the gutter surface. Before painting, apply a primer to prepare the surface. The tip is only applicable to metal gutters and not plastic or composite gutters.

Gutters are out of sight, and this means they're often forgotten. However, they play a critical role in protecting your roof and, by extension, your home. For the best roof gutter solutions around Lenexa, Olathe, Kansas City, Overland Park, and Shawnee, KS, call us today.