Keeping Gutters Clean Should be at the Top of Every Home Owners List

Tip of the Week: Prolong the life of your gutters, and prevent water damage to your home by periodically cleaning your gutters.

Among the most neglected items on a home - gutters rank right up there near the top, and for good reason! Gutters are hard to reach, span the length and width of your home, and don’t usually cry out for maintenance until something bad happens. But, it’s the “until something bad happens” that you want to prevent by cleaning your gutters a few of times a year.

If gutters are not clear of debris, water cannot drain properly; thus causing water to back up onto your roof. This causes the fascia to rot, shingles to loosen, and moisture loving bugs to invade. Clogged gutters and downspouts can also cause water to pool around your home’s foundation, which can cause the foundation to crack or sag.  And, as if that wasn’t enough, water damage from clogged gutters is also the primary reason for washed out landscaping, and cracked or sagging driveways and walkways. The list goes on and on – so what other reasons do you need to clean your gutters!

When cleaning your gutters yourself, please use protective goggles and rubber gloves. Using a secure extension ladder, climb near the top to reach the gutter. (Note - never climb to the top rung of a ladder – there should always be a couple rungs left between you and your target). Next, rake or blow off leaves from the roof. Then using a plastic gutter scoop, or your hand remove most debris. Wearing rubber gloves for hand cleaning is very important because not only is there leaf debris, but there is bacteria from squirrel and bird droppings, which you do not want to touch or mistakenly ingest. Throw debris to the ground or place it in a bucket for easier clean up. Using a hose with a pistol attachment, clean the gutter, spraying toward the downspout. Finally, spray water down the downspout to ensure water flows out. If there is a backup – gently tap down the sides of the downspout to loosen. In severe cases the downspout may need to be disassembled to clean out the clog.  Remember when unclogging the downspout – water will come pouring out, so be prepared.

Alternatively, you could hire a professional.  Most home owners don’t own the equipment needed - like extension ladders, hoses, rakes or blowers. But, in addition –do not clean your gutters if you’re afraid of heights, your home has a steep pitch, or you are uncomfortable climbing past the first floor.

You should clean a few times a year, seasonally in late fall to remove fallen leaves, spring to get rid of winter debris, and mid-summer to remove debris from summer storms. This is one home maintenance item that just can’t be neglected!

Aaron Gorski

Owner, The Greener Side Lawn & Landscaping LLC

Visit The Greener Side Lawn & Landscaping LLC or follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more landscaping, gardening, and home maintenance tips, tricks, and techniques!

Please send all of your landscaping, fall gardening, and home maintenance questions to: PatchQuestions@GreenerSideLLC.com.