Let’s begin with the basics

You want to clean your gutters at least twice a year. Once in the spring and once in the fall. However, you also want to check them before and after any rain showers just to make sure that your gutters are still clear. Cleaning is usually easiest when the weather and the debris have had a few days to dry out.

Leaves and twigs build up over time and really clog your gutters and your downspouts this means your gutters can really overflow and damage your roof, fascia,  and even worst end up along the foundation of your house. This is all avoidable if you maintain them for at least twice a year.

Getting your tools and supplies

First, gather all of the necessary tools and supplies you will need to clean your gutters. Here is a list of tools and supplies you will need.

• Ladder
• Bucket or tarp
• Gutter scoop
• Hooks
• Work gloves
• Garden hose or power washer
• Drill Bit

Start with setting your ladder up. When using your ladder always use it on solid, stable and level ground.  Make sure you follow the safety instructions on the side of the ladder. For a two story home you will need an extension ladder.

A handy trick is the use hooks to attach a bucket for your tools, supplies, and debris, or you can just drop your debris onto a tarp laid next to your ladder. Make sure not to put the ladder onto of the tarp.

You may want to wear your work gloves when cleaning your gutters because you could come into contact with sharp metal.

Once you have your ladder and bucket set up r your ladder and trap set up its time to climb up the ladder and get to work.

Here is how to clean your gutters

Your going to begin by removing any debris near the downspout first. Also remove and clear any downspout strainers if your have them.

Move along to the side of the downspout and work your way along the gutters. When working along the gutters use a gutter scoop or your hands.

Flush the rest of the debris with your garden hose or your power wash. Start at the far end and move toward the downspout try not to spray under the shingles.

Clogged downspout

If your gutter is not draining chances are there is a clog in your downspout. If your downspout is one soil piece you have to take off the bands to remove it. The downspout should just slide right out.  Then flush it out with your garden hose or power wash and reattach.

If you have a short piece of downspout running into a drainage system remove just that short piece. Covering your open pipe with a bucket just in case there’s a lot of debris that comes out. Now you can feed your garden hose or your power wash up the spout spraying with full pressure to release the clog.

Plumber snake

If that doesn’t work use a plumber snake. Feed it up through the downspout, when it gets stopped lock the collar and spin the line as you feed it more into the downspout. Then pull it back. You can also use the plumber snake with a drill. Once you break through the clog reattach everything and flush the gutters again with your garden hose or power wash.

If you noticed standing water this means your gutter isn’t correctly pitched. Call us, Expert Gutters anytime and we will get that fixed for you.

Cleaning your gutters twice a year

Maintaining your gutters is well worth the time and effort and now you know how to do it right. If you wish someone to help you, give us a call!