How To Safely Clean Your Gutters
Keeping your gutters shipshape is an essential part of taking care of your home. Any storm can have a drastic effect on how well your gutters work, and even a minor build-up of debris can mean a major headache when it comes to water damage.
Why Gutter Cleaning Is So Important
If your gutters are full of leaves, moss and other debris, water can’t flow as it should. Trapped water can lead to problems like sagging gutters, rot and even pest infestations. It can get smelly and can pose a health hazard.
To prevent these problems, it’s important to clean your gutters regularly – at least every six months, and maybe more if you live in an area where there are a lot of trees.
How to Clean Your Gutters Safely
Use a Power Washer
A power washer is a great option for gutters that are in good condition. Using a power washer means less getting rid of gunge by hand, and makes the job quicker and easier.
- Only use this method if your gutters are sound
- Do not use a power washer for older guttering
- Push debris over the edge of the gutter, rather than clogging the downpipe
Use Your Hands
If you live in an older house, or there’s just too much gunge for the power washer to shift, then the only option is to get in with your hands. Wear a good strong pair of gloves to protect your hands against any sharps, or any pests that may have made a home in your grubby gutters.
Give a Final Rinse
When you’ve got the bulky stuff out of the way, you can give the gutters a final rinse. You might find a brush attachment helps to shift any stubborn spots.
Watch the Water Flow
As well as showing what a good job you’ve done, watching the way the water flows can highlight any future issues. If you spot water gathering in one spot, it’s worth taking a closer look, or calling in the professionals.
Gutter Guards
Gutter guards are a good option in areas where there are a lot of trees. They are a simple cap, that sits over your gutter and stops leaves and debris from falling in, while letting water through.
A Word of Caution
Even gutter guards get clogged and if you choose to use them it’s important to carry out regular inspections to make sure there’s not too much buildup. Gutter guards don’t mean you can forget about your guttering – they just make cleaning up a little bit easier.
We Can Help
If this all sounds too much for you, or if you’ve found a problem that needs an expert eye, ACS Plumbing can help. Get in touch using our contact form, give us a call on 0408 614 531 or drop an email to acsplumbing@bigpond.com.
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