subject: What To Consider When Cleaning Gutters [print this page] Gutters, also referred to as an eavestrough, surround the edge of roofs to gather rain that runs off of the roof. The gutter is a slim trough that directs water to a downspout which carries the water to the ground. Without gutters the rain would simply flow over the edge of the roof, which could damage windows, insulation, foundations and even vinyl siding.
Every home has gutters and taking care of them is imperative, as it helps protect other parts of the home. Learning how to safely clean them out is uncomplicated. The key is to set aside the proper time to do so and ensure your safety while completing the unpleasant and messy task.
How to Clean out your House's Gutters
When cleaning your house's gutters you will need a tall ladder in order to reach the edge of the roof where the gutters are located. The gutters will be filled with leaves, dirt and sticks so it is wise to bring a bag along with you to dispose of all the debris. You can use your hands to clean out the gutters or may choose to use a tool like a garden trowel. Sometimes the debris will have dried onto the gutters making the removal more difficult. In this case you will want to bring up your garden hose to wet down the surface and then scrap the debris away. You risk damaging the gutter if you use too much force with your hands to remove the debris when it is dry. After you have removed all the leaves, dirt and sticks give the gutter one last rinse with water to completely wash down the gutter.
Safety Precautions need to be taken into consideration when Cleaning Gutters
Taking the proper precautions when cleaning gutters, will ensure your safety. Before even starting the project make sure you have a long enough ladder. When the wrong height of ladder is used the job cannot not be completed properly or safely. Wearing work gloves is also required. The gloves will prevent your hands from scraps from the debris as well as sharp edges of the trough. Mold can grow in the gutter too, so wearing gloves will act as a barrier between your hands and the mold. Attaching the debris bag to the ladder will free both of your hands for ultimate safety on the ladder. When using your garden hose, make sure it is long enough to reach the farthest part on the roof, so you won't need to stretch and reach to get to the farthest corner. Ideally, having a partner when you decide to tackle the dirty job would also be best. Your partner can pass tools, hold the ladder and assist you. Most importantly, assessing the height of your house before you even begin is critical, since if the house is too steep hiring a professional to clean the gutters would be the safest decision.
Why Cleaning Gutters is so important
Gutters filled with debris will cause the gutters not to function properly. Water trapped in gutters or water that overflows from the gutters can cause extensive damage. Proper drainage of rain water off of the roof is essential. The rain water is then able to flow away from the home and the risk of harming the foundation is taken away. Trapped water can cause leaks in the roof and even worse the water could seep through and damage the attic insulation. As well, trapped water can sit in the window wells and window frames causing them to rot out. Choosing not to clean out your house's gutters could lead to costly repairs.
