FREE Home Tips! Keep your gutters clean!

Free Home Tips on Cleaning Gutters

By Lisa Chinn, eHow Contributor

Gutters direct water away from the foundation of a house, helping it stay structurally sound. They also prevent annoying water runoff onto patios and walkways by redirecting water to good drainage spots in the ground. Gutters collect leaves and other debris from trees throughout the year, clogging them and making them less effective. Cleaning gutters protects the stability of a home and saves money in the long run.

1. Safe Ladder Placement

   • Many people avoid cleaning gutters because of an unsafe feeling they get from standing on a ladder at roof-height. Lowe's Home Improvement store suggests making the cleaning process as safe as possible by using a step ladder placed on a sturdy and level surface. Do not rest a ladder on a gutter; gutters are not designed to support that amount of weight. Instead, rest the top of an extension ladder against the side of the building below the gutter.

   Debris Removal

   • Use a large spoon or scoop to remove debris from a gutter. Wear gloves to prevent scratches and goggles to protect the eyes from flying debris.
     

     
     

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   Debris Bag

   • Many people use a bucket to hold gutter debris while cleaning. However, a plastic bag is lighter and easier to carry while up on the ladder. The person cleaning the gutter can simply drop the plastic bag from the ladder before climbing down, instead of carrying a clumsy bucket.

   Gutter Debris

   • Save gutter debris to use as an organic compost or mulch in the garden.

   Leaf Blower

   • Some people like to use a leaf blower or HVAC to clean out gutters. This method works more quickly than scooping, but beware that a very heavy or strong leaf blower can make it difficult to balance on top of a ladder.

   Hosing

   • Hose out the gutter with a regular garden hose after scooping out most of the debris. Try a trigger spray nozzle for more control over the water pressure. While hosing out the gutter, look to make sure it does not leak anywhere.

   Downspout Cleaning

   • When a gutter downspout becomes clogged, the gutter overflows. Clean out downspouts by running hose water down them. If this method does not remove a clog, try feeding the hose up from the bottom of the downspout opening or using a plumber's snake to reach the clog.

   Frequency

   • Clean gutters twice a year instead of just once. Many homeowners clean gutters just once at the end of fall, but cleaning twice per year prevents damage from clogged gutters and makes each cleaning easier.