How to Clean Gutters
Water trapped in gutters can cause major damage to your roof and walls. Maintaining clean gutters helps keep your home in good shape.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Garden Hoses
- Garden Trowels
- Leaf Blowers
- Large Wooden Spoons
- Plastic Trash Bags
- Buckets
- Caulks
- Extension Ladders
- Gutter Scoops
- Plumber's Snakes
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Gain access to the roof with a ladder. Don't lean the ladder against a downspout or gutter, which can easily bend or break.
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2
Remove leaves and twigs from gutters by hand or with a large spoon, a gutter scoop or a small garden trowel.
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3
Wet down caked-on dirt, which can be difficult to remove without damaging the gutter itself, then remove it with the gutter scoop or trowel.
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4
Put debris in a bucket or plastic trash bag placed on the roof or ladder. If you use a bag, you can just drop it when it's full.
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5
Check that the downspouts aren't clogged. Use water to unclog your downspouts by placing a garden hose in the opening. But be gentle at first; downspouts aren't designed to withstand the same pressure as a house drain. If a plugged downspout can't be cleared with a hose, use a small plumber's snake or an unbent clothes hanger. Again, be gentle. Gutters are not as strong as house pipes.
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6
Alternatively, use a leaf blower to clean the gutters; however, remember that you'll be high up, often in awkward postures, and carrying a good-sized machine that not only is awkward to use but also can blind you with dust.
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7
Use the hose to flush the gutters with water after cleaning. (This is also the best time to find out if there are any leaks in the system.)
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Tips & Warnings
Consider covering your gutters with wire or plastic mesh. This will drastically cut down on debris.
Never hold on to the gutter or downspout for support. They're not meant to support your weight.
Make sure the ladder is sturdy and well-secured.
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Comments
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Send me some of the jellied crop...in a couple of years ;-)
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Planted blueberries, raspberries, currants and 2 grapes. And cleaned my gutters.
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RicardoVerdi
Dec 04, 2009
If you do bring a bucket up the ladder don't try holding it with one hand while you clean the gutter with the other. Don't put the bucket on the roof, especially if it slopes. It'll probably fall just as it is nearly full of gunge. Get an S-hook & hang the bucket off a rung near the top. And don't forget you can probably compost most of the stuff you clean out. -
Heatherrros
Jan 20, 2009
My gutters used to clog all the time with leaves and pine needles from all the trees around my house. my husband hated getting out the ladder and cleaning them. I finally installed a gutter guard so that we wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. It's called Gutterglove Gutterguard. It's has a stainless steel mesh on an aluminum frame. It looks and feels pretty heavy duty. I ordered it and installed it myself. I am so happy with the way it is preforming. We don't have to clean the gutters anymore. It was well worth the investment and I would recomend it to everyone!
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Heatherrros
Jan 20, 2009
My gutters used to clog all the time with leaves and pine needles from all the trees around my house. my husband hated getting out the ladder and cleaning them. I finally installed a gutter guard so that we wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. It's called Gutterglove Gutterguard. It's has a stainless steel mesh on an aluminum frame. It looks and feels pretty heavy duty. I ordered it and installed it myself. I am so happy with the way it is preforming. We don't have to clean the gutters anymore. It was well worth the investment and I would recomend it to everyone!
