How to Clean Gutters: 5 Effective Ways of getting the job done

GUTTERS are key to keeping water away from your house. To function properly, they need to be free of dirt and debris. Fortunately, there are several effective ways of cleaning them, some of which don't even require a ladder.

GUTTER CLEANING WITH A GARDEN HOSE

So long as they are not thoroughly clogged, you can clean your gutters successfully with a garden hose.

CHECK YOUR GUTTERS

Now is a good time to inspect your gutters and eaves, as winter may have brought problems with drainage.

Be wary of ice dams, which happen when the snow melts and freezes again quickly, forming a wall of ice just by your roof’s eaves and preventing water from flowing down the drain.

Check for leaves, branches, and other objects that may have clogged your gutters, too.

CLEARING GUTTER WITH A WET/DRY VACUUM



As a substitute method for removing debris from your gutters, experiment with a wet/dry vacuum.

CLEANING GUTTERS ON A LADDER

Climbing on a ladder to clean the gutters isn’t as safe as cleaning them from the ground since there’s always a risk of falling. To reduce the risk, it’s essential to use the right ladder. Avoid using a stepladder, which can tip.

Instead, use a sturdy extension ladder that has been fitted with stabilizer arms. These arms can be purchased separately and attached to standard extension ladders. One such example is the Werner True Grip Stabilizer, which braces the ladder against the siding and keeps it from slipping to the side.

In addition, it’s a good idea to have an assistant on the ground who can hold the ladder if necessary to stabilize it and hand up the tools as you need them. The following methods are well suited to cleaning gutters from a ladder.

ROOF AND GUTTER CLEANING WITH A LEAF BLOWER

Many leaf blowers come with a nozzle attachment designed to release a powerful air stream, perfect for blasting leaves and twigs out of the gutter. Position your ladder so that you can work from one end of the channel to the other, blowing out obstructions as you go.

Block the downspout first with a rag or old towel to keep from blowing leaves into it. As a final step, flush out any lingering leaves or twigs with a hose.