When left unchecked, a damaged gutter could cause more damage to your home. A clogged gutter can retain water, especially during the winter and rainy seasons, and this provides a good environment for plants such as mould, moss, and other fungi to grow. The water can also sip into the roofing materials as well as siding and cause rot. To prevent this, you need to keep your gutters in good working conditions. There are certain maintenance issues you can fix on your own, while there are those that will require the services of an expert. This article has narrowed down to seven ways you can clean and repair your gutters while reducing your maintenance cost.
Cleaning the gutter using a leaf blower
This is probably the easiest way of cleaning your gutter. The leaf blower comes with a nozzle attachment built to release a narrow stream of air, specifically good for cleaning your gutters. When using a leaf blower, you need a ladder and someone to hold the ladder for you as you work. Position the ladder and work your way towards the downspout. Remember not to blow leaves into the downspout, as this could lead to another maintenance issue. Once you’re done getting rid of any obstruction, majorly leaves, use a hose to get rid of any leaves or twigs that may still be stuck in the gutter.
Using a Wet / Dry Vacuum cleaner
Using a Vacuum cleaner is majorly used when you have to get rid of heavier debris. However, some people may not like the idea of using a ladder while working on the roof; hence you can visit the local retail store and find hoses and attachments you need to extend the reach of your vacuum. This way, you can reach the gutters from your position on the ground.
When dealing with stuck and stubborn dirt, you may have to wet the area before bringing in the vacuum. Do this repeatedly till you are certain the gutters are clean. However, once you are done, it is best to flush the gutters and your downspout with water from a hosepipe.
Cleaning gutters using your hands
To do this, you need to ready your equipment which includes a ladder, bucket, gutter scoop, and heavy-duty gloves. Once you are up there, slowly by slowly remove the debris, leaves, and any other foreign materials from your gutters, placing them in the bucket you carried with you; make sure you get every material out before flushing the gutters and downspouts with water. Next, flush the two sections till you are sure they are operating optimally. Finally, in case you notice any clog in the downspout, use a plumber’s snake to burst through the clog and rinse thoroughly with a hose.
Cleaning Gutters using a power washer
Using a power washer is arguably one of the easiest ways of cleaning the gutters, especially when you are doing it on your own. Power washers are designed to release a high-powered stream of water that is used to clean and remove debris from various surfaces. It is this ability to effectively clean virtually any dirt that makes it a convenient and reliable method when it comes to cleaning your gutters.
Unlike the blower that is limited to light materials such as leaves and twigs, the power washer can remove even the stuck and stubborn dirt in the gutters. With this machine, you don’t have to worry about cleaning your gutters often. Another benefit of using this method is that you can use it to clean the downspout and get rid of any blockages. Then, spray the downspout with the pressurized water till it’s clear.
Repair the sagging gutters using a gutter hanger
Don’t just clean the gutters and forget to check for any damages or sagging that needs repair. Instead, take your time to go over the mounting points and check for any wear or damage in parts of the gutter. If the gutters appear to be sagging, it is best to repair them as soon as possible to avoid further damage during the winter or rainy season when they can easily be knocked loose.
Depending on the type and condition of the gutters, you may have to tighten the screws back into place or replace their entire section. If you notice, the mounting holes are hogged out. It is best to upgrade the hardware to a larger size. To prevent your gutters from sagging in the future, it is best to reinforce your gutters using extra-long screws that can be driven into the rafters. To be sure, secure the gutter hangers hook around the front and back edges to hold it in place.
Add gutter guards
Installing gutter guards always comes in handy, especially when you want to reduce the frequency of cleaning your gutters. Gutter guards are designed differently, with some made out of simple mesh, curved surfaces, or even brush filters that allow water to drain while blocking leaves and other materials from entering the channels. Despite preventing leaves and debris from entering the gutters, they still accumulate the dirt, leaves, and debris, making it necessary to clean the gutters.
Various manufactures produce a variety of styles designed to fit the specific needs of different homes. The most popular gutter guards include drop-in screens, surface-tension guards, and brush filters. Despite their varied designs, installation both by DIY and professionals take up only a few hours.
Hire a Professional
Cleaning and repairing gutters can be an easy task that you can do yourself. However, if the damages or clogs are serious, it is best to hire the services of a gutter cleaning professional