If you are a home owner, then keeping the gutters clean at your house is your own responsibility. It can be a pain to keep them clean, but the truth is that it an save you a lot of frustration and money down the road to ensure that they are free of debris throughout the year, rather than having to pay to have them replaced or unclogged at some point in the future.
Some people choose to have them professionally cleaned on a regular basis, but for those home owners who are on a budget or simply enjoy do-it-yourself work, cleaning your own gutters is a relatively simple process. And by doing this at least once per season, you can prevent expensive repairs to your roof and gutters.
When it comes to DIY gutter cleaning, there are some basic materials that you are going to need to make it happen. For starters, you will need an extension ladder so that you can easily and safely reach your gutters. In addition to a ladder, you will need the right tools to remove debris from the gutters. This includes everything from gutter scoops and plumber snakes to buckets, wooden spoons and even a leaf blower (if you have one handy). Finally, you will also need some trash bags to dispose of the debris once you are done.
The first thing that you will need to do is to carefully climb the ladder with a bucket in hand. Once you reach the gutter, remove as much debris as you can with your hands. This will consist of larger pieces on top such as leaves and twigs. Toss them into the bucket to dispose of once you are done.
Next, use the large spoon that you have to literally scoop out the bottoms of the gutter troughs. This will bring out a lot of the caked in debris that has been there for a long period of time, including leaves, dirt and other smaller objects.
Still, debris that has been rained on or fell at the very bottom of the trough can be even more difficult to get rid of. To get this out, you may need to wet it with water. You can do this using a bucket or a hose, whichever is easier for you. Once it is wet, it should be easier to scoop out or wipe out with a towel.
By following these steps, you can keep your gutters clean on your own. However, if this is too much work for you or if you do not want to risk getting up on a ladder, there is always the option of hiring professional services to clean your gutters for you so be sure to keep that in mind. This is usually more affordable to have done than you might think, especially if you just have it done every several months.
Overall, keeping clean gutters is vital to the longevity of your home’s roof, so be sure not to neglect or overlook them at any time of the year.