Cleaning Gutter Interiors

Midwestpro · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 11:11 pm Post subject: Cleaning Gutter Interiors

Your gutters serve an important purpose in keeping your home safe from rot and decay. Gutters channel and divert rain water from your roof down and away from your home, so it's important that they remain clear from debris so they can function properly.

Your gutters should be cleaned out twice a year, once in spring and again in the fall just before winter. Gutters that aren't flowing properly in winter can lead to ice damage which in turn can lead to costly repairs.

Freeing leaves, sticks, and compost from your gutters isn't rocket science but it can be a tedious job. If your comfortable walking on your roof and it hasn't rained in awhile, you may have some luck using a leave blower to clear out your gutters. You can also clean them out by hand from up top the roof or from a ladder. Or you could always pay someone else to do it for you. Normally the easiest way is from a ladder, reaching as far as you safely can in each direction scoop out as much debris as possible and throw it to the ground. Move the ladder and repeat until the gutter is clear, then you can go back and rake the ground cleaning up your mess. Sometimes it helps to keep a trash can at the bottom of your ladder trying to throw most of the debris into it from up top.

Remember that working on a ladder is dangerous and I'm not recommending anyone go out and clean their own gutters, but I know some of you will anyway. If your not comfortable doing it then hire a professional, its not worth you getting hurt or risking your life. If you are going to attempt it, get someone to help you or at least let someone know where you are and what you'll be doing so they can check in on you.

Once the gutter is free it's time to see if the down spouts are. Locate the downspout(s) for the gutter you just cleaned and run some water down it using a garden hose, if water flows out the bottom freely its probably clear. If not, the water will start to back up and things can get messy. The best way to free a clogged downspout is to turn your garden hose on full blast and start feeding the hose in the top of the downspout. Feed in as much hose as necessary, you may have to work the hose up and down briskly to break free the clogged debris. You can also try feeding the hose in from the bottom using the same technique. If this method does not work you'll have to take the downspout apart by taking out the screws or drilling out the pop rivets at each joint. Then clear out the parts and reassemble the gutter using new rivets or screws.

Once you have the downspout(s) clear you can take your garden hose up to the gutter starting at the highest point of the gutter and spray out any debris you may have missed. While doing this step make sure the water flows properly towards the downspout. Sometimes gutters sag after time and don't function properly. Repairs may need to be made if water sits in the gutter and doesn't get diverted to the downspouts. Also check to make sure water is diverted properly away from your house at the bottom of the downspouts. Water should not flow back towards or puddle up around the foundation. Gutter extensions or corrugated tile can be used to direct water away from your home.

Gutter screens or helmets can also be installed to help keep debris out of your gutters. Just remember that they don't always work perfect and removing them once in a while to clean out the smaller debris that falls through may still be necessary. Keep this in consideration when purchasing them and check to see how easily they can be removed or opened for access.

johnny · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1 Location: North Carolina

Wow I didn't know you had to clean gutters twice a year Shocked

Midwestpro · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:43 am Post subject:

Some gutters could be cleaned out several times a year, it just depends on your area. You should at least inspect them several times a year to make sure they are clear and flowing freely.

TNTPW · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 6:40 pm Post subject:

I wash a guy's house once a year and clean his gutters out. He should get them cleaned out more. By the time I get there in the spring the back ones (where all the trees are) are over flowing. Hes a great customer and I keep trying to talk him into doing it more often.