When it comes to keeping your home clean and tidy and kerb appeal at its peak, we often forget about cleaning out our gutters. After all, overflowing water and stagnant debris is a recipe for disaster – often resulting in easily preventable problems.
But do you know why and how to clean your gutters, especially when you could just get a professional to do it?
Why is it important to clean your gutters?
Your gutters’ main purpose is to divert rainwater and debris down away from the exterior of your home and widows. Cleaning them is paramount to preventing water accumulation, leaking roofs, external water damage, rotting window frames and mould growth. Clogged gutters can also become home to pests and rodents, so clearing away debris is needed regularly.
Is it worth it to clean your own gutters?
Yes! Whilst you can easily divert cleaning your gutters to a professional service, with the right tools and weather, cleaning them yourself can be a piece of cake. Professional services can end up quite pricey, but DIY gutter cleaning can be done with just a garden hose.
Tools and equipment needed for gutter cleaning
Cleaning your own gutters doesn’t require specialist tools and equipment – simply just a handful of basic household items. These include:
- Ladder
- Gloves
- Gutter scoop or trowel
- Bucket or plastic bag
- Garden hose or watering can
How to prepare for gutter cleaning
Before cleaning your gutters, there are a few things you should consider and prepare first. This includes checking the weather, as wet conditions can make the task harder and using a ladder dangerous and wearing appropriate clothing and footwear, such as clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and shoes with a strong grip.
Step-by-step guide to cleaning your gutters
Cleaning your gutters takes just 5 simple steps to complete!
Step 1: Safety first
Before starting, ensure that the weather is dry and you have appropriate footwear on, to climb a ladder. We also recommend having someone with you, to hold the ladder at the bottom whilst you clean the gutters.
Step 2: Set up
Now, make sure you have all the tools needed and set your ladder up, securely against the exterior wall of your home. Practice taking a couple of steps up the ladders until you are confident that they feel secure.
Step 3: Remove debris
Now, climb up the ladders with something to scoop the debris out, such as a trowel or gutter scoop and something to collect the debris in, like a bucket or plastic bag. Taking your time, move along the gutter and clear all the debris out. You can check the gutter is empty by running a little water through, to see if it flows along.
Step 4: Check downspouts
To check your downspouts, pour a small amount of water down and see if it flows out of the bottom. If your downspouts are clogged, place your garden hose down the downspout and turn the water on at full pressure to push the debris out.
Step 5: Flush gutters with water
Once you are confident that your gutters are completely debris-free, flush the whole system with water to fully clean it out and check that there are no cracks or leaks in the gutter. If you do notice any leaks,
How often should you clean your gutters?
You should aim to clean your gutters annually. This should be either at the beginning of Spring or at the end of Autumn; times where gutter debris will be at its most prominent with the change of seasons. However, cleaning out your gutters bi-annually, at both of these times, will almost guarantee clean gutters all year round.
Whether it becomes part of your spring clean routine or pre-Christmas prep, cleaning your gutters is a necessary task.
How to stop your gutters from clogging
The best way to keep your gutters clean and clog-free is to install leaf guards. These guards filter out leaves and other debris before they enter your gutter, preventing clogs and build-up and allowing water to continue flowing through.
Be sure to keep trees that stretch over or grow in close proximity of, your roof trimmed down of excess leaves and twigs and to replace your gutters when needed. A quality gutter system should only need to be replaced every 20 years or so.
