How to Clean Black Streaks From Gutters

Vertical black lines may form on your gutters, detracting from the overall appearance of your house. The streaks normally form on the underside or shaded areas of gutters, where black mold has a chance to thrive because of the absence of mold-destroying sun rays. Chlorine bleach kills the mold and whitens the gutters to a shine without the chore of scrubbing them.

Things You'll Need

• Tarps or old sheets
• Pump sprayer
• Bleach
• Garden hose

Instructions

1. Place tarps or old sheets on the ground under the gutters to catch drips from the bleach solution. Chlorine bleach will kill plant life.

2. Fill a pump sprayer 3/4 full with cold water. Add 1 cup of bleach to the water. Place protective eyewear or goggles over your eyes.

3. Stand at an angle to the gutters. Position the spray nozzle toward the underside of the gutters.

4. Spray the bleach solution back and forth onto the gutters, covering the underside and the sides of the gutter surface. Walk the length of the house, spraying the entire surface. Spray the downspouts also if they have black streaks. Allow the bleach solution to remain on the gutters for 10 minutes. Repeat the procedure on the other side of the house. Refill the pump sprayer if needed to cover all the gutters. Pump the sprayer occasionally to keep pressure within the tank.

5. Rinse out the pump sprayer completely with a garden hose after bleaching the gutters. Refill the sprayer with clean water.

6. Rinse the bleach solution from the gutters by spraying with the pump sprayer. Spray the gutters generously to remove all traces of the bleach.