When cleaning gutters yourself, use pressure washers and even leaf blower attachments to achieve a professional finish. Safety advice as well as how to approach this job from the ground.
A house’s gutters, also known as eavestroughs, have a duty to accomplish and learning how to clean gutters like a pro can ensure that they continue to do so. If they become blocked and water pours onto the house’s walls, humidity and mould might occur, which is something you don’t want to deal with.
Gutter cleaning should be part of your periodic maintenance throughout the year because falling leaves and other sorts of waste can accumulate in gutters over time. Of course, you can hire a professional to complete the task for you, but this will be costly. And, with or without a ladder, you can safely accomplish this work by yourself. Yes, using a pressure washer and even leaf blower attachments, it is possible to clean gutters from the ground.
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How to clean your gutters like a pro
When cleaning various types of gutters, a professional will keep safe, so you should pay attention to this as well.
If you’re cleaning gutters using a ladder, make sure to stay safe and avoid placing yourself in danger, but there are other options.
If you’re going to be working up high, inspect the roof as well, as a sound roof, like clean gutters, is critical to the structural integrity of your home. A roof’s lifespan varies, but there are signals that it needs to be replaced. If your gutter is damaged beyond repair, it’s time to consider gutter replacement.
How often should your gutters be cleaned?
Because your gutters are exposed to more debris and leaves when your house is surrounded by trees, you’ll need to clean them more than twice a year.
Seasons have an impact on maintenance outside of location; as spring brings a lot of rain, gutter repair should be prioritised to avoid mould and mildew growth. Gutter cleaning is also a common element of autumn home maintenance checks. Plenty of times tradesmen have been called out to clean gutters but due to neglect gutter replacement has been the only answer.
Step-by-step gutter cleaning
1. Put on thick gloves and appropriate gear, then secure a ladder. Before ascending up, double-check your ladder’s stability.
Ladders should only be used on solid ground and should be avoided if there are any faults or dents. Fibreglass and aluminium ladders are the strongest and most suitable for this task.
2. If there are any large pieces of debris in the gutter, simply remove them from your position on the ladder. After that, you’ll require a gadget to assist you with any slushy situation. Using a shovel and bucket to scoop out the debris is the simplest way to clean your gutters. If you climb to the top of the roof and notice your gutter is in bad shape, it’s time for gutter replacement.
Alternatively, you might use a gutter scoop to complete the task. It’s a strong shovel that’s meant to fit into the gutter.
3. After the gutters have been cleared, it’s time to clean them. To flush the gutters, use a garden hose with a spray nozzle.
A blockage is indicated when water pools or does not flow freely down the gutter. You should go down and feed the hose up the downspout to use water pressure to drive the clog out. Once you’ve finished, the debris will fall down.
Should you walk on the roof to clean gutters?
We do not recommend it. If you’re doing the task yourself, the best options are to stand on a ladder or clear the gutters from the ground (see below).
A professional should be the one to walk on your roof. Roofing shingles can effectively conceal underlying structural issues. For people with an inexperienced sight, these can offer a considerable risk of damage.
Only a licensed roofing specialist should be allowed to walk on a roof. To contact a professional, please click here.
Without a ladder, can I clean my gutters?
It is feasible to clean gutters without using a ladder. The best approach is to use a gutter hook attachment for your hose or pressure washer. Of course, because you won’t be able to look into the gutter, you may miss debris, although this is less likely with high pressure. It will also allow you to operate with your feet firmly planted on the ground.
If you don’t want to utilise a ladder, leaf blower attachments for gutter cleaning, as well as a gutter vacuum, are another choice. These are what the pros use and are priced appropriately, but if you like the idea, you might be able to rent one near you — and you could share it with a neighbour to make things easier.
