DIY Gutter Cleaning Tips!
Updated: Feb 21
We'd love to have your business but if you feel willing and able here are some DIY gutter cleaning tips.
Gutter cleaning is an important task that should be performed regularly to keep your home in good shape and prevent water damage. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get started.
Safety first. Before you start cleaning, make sure you have the right safety equipment, such as a sturdy ladder and rubber-soled shoes to prevent slips and falls. Wear gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges and to prevent getting dirty. Wearing a pair of nitrile gloves under your work gloves will keep your hands especially comfortable.
Prepare your tools. You'll need a few basic tools to get started, including a sturdy ladder, a bucket, a gutter scoop, extension pole, and a garden hose. For added safety, consider adding a stabilizer bar and leg levelers to your ladder. It can be an investment but it's certainly cheaper than a hospital bill should you fall due to an unsteady ladder.
Remove debris by hand. Use your gutter scoop to remove any leaves, twigs, or other debris from the gutters. Often you will also find granules that naturally fall from your roof shingles.
Rinse the gutters. Once you've removed the debris, rinse the gutters with a garden hose to remove any remaining dirt and granules.
Check the downspouts. Make sure to check the downspouts to see if they're clogged. If they are, use a garden hose to flush out the debris, or you can remove the clogs by hand. A driver set and impact driver will safe you a lot of time.
Repeat the process. Repeat the cleaning process for all the gutters on your home. Having the hose is helpful to rinse the exterior of your gutters should they get messy.
Inspect the gutters. As you're cleaning keep an eye out for lose nails that you can tap in later. Inspect the gutters to make sure they're in good shape.
Gutter cleaning can be a dirty and time-consuming task, but it's important to keep your home in good shape and prevent water damage. By following these tips and tricks, you can make the process easier and more efficient. With a little patience and the right tools, you can have clean gutters in no time!
However, many homeowners dread this chore. You may not have the right ladder, tools, or time. When you're ready to hand over the job, give us at Crux Roof & Gutter Cleaning a call and we'll get your gutters squared away! We serve Portland, Milwaukie, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Clackamas, Gresham and the surrounding areas!