Gutters that are not properly cleaned and maintained can’t do their job and not maintaining your gutters can cause expensive, hard to fix damage.
Why Gutter Maintenance is Important
Maintaining your gutters is a key part of keeping your home in good condition. It’s critical for the health and longevity of your foundations.
Preventing Water Damage
Again, the primary purpose of rain gutters is to prevent water damage by channeling water through your downspouts and into the sewer system. Gutters also protect your home from water damage caused by snow melt. When gutters are clogged or leaking, water flows down your home. Clogged gutters can also back water up onto your roof. This can cause damage to your roof, walls, and foundation.
Avoiding Pest Infestations
Clogged gutters collect standing water. Mosquitos love standing water. Mosquitos also love your blood. Other insects can also breed in clogged gutters, causing a potential infestation. In some cases, small rodents have been known to occupy blocked gutters.
Prolonging Gutter Lifespan
Your home can’t survive without gutters, and eventually they need to be replaced. Regular maintenance will keep your gutters in good condition and functioning longer. This saves money in the long run.
How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?
Cleaning your gutters is an annoying task, but how often do you need to do it? The common wisdom is once or twice a year. If you have heavy rain or snow routinely, or if your home is surrounded by trees, you should clean your gutters more often.
If you don’t have many trees, once a year may be enough. The best approach, though, is to keep an eye on your gutters. Timing is also important. The most important time to clean your gutters is in late fall after the trees have shed their leaves. A second cleaning in the spring before the spring rains hit is advisable. If you get a lot of snow, cleaning the gutters right after snow melt and checking them for damage can help avoid spring floods.
Fitting gutter guards can reduce the frequency of cleaning by keeping debris out of your gutters, and they are a very good idea if you have a lot of trees.
Tools and Materials Needed for Gutter Cleaning
Some people prefer to hire a professional to clean gutters. In fact, most people should not attempt to clean gutters themselves. If you do want to, though, you need the right gear to do it effectively.
Safety Gear
First of all, you need a sturdy ladder of sufficient length. Never climb a ladder without a spotter. Make sure there is enough space to put the ladder at a good angle. Wear safety glasses (prescription glasses provide some protection, but not enough) and sturdy work gloves.
Cleaning Tools
Get a proper gutter scoop. Jury rigging one is only going to make the task take a lot longer, although an old spatula may work depending on what you have. A garden trowel is also a useful tool for getting dirt out of the gutters. You will need a hose long enough to reach the gutters, with a spray nozzle.
Additional Equipment
Place a tarp below where you are cleaning to collect debris that might fall out of the gutters. If you have a clogged downspout, you may need to use a plumber’s snake to unclog it. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and gloves.
Step-By-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Gutters
So, if you decide to tackle cleaning your gutters yourself, here’s how to do it safely and effectively.
1. Preparing For the Job
Gather all the tools and equipment you need. As mentioned, do not try to clean your gutters on your own. You need a spotter. Start by inspecting your gutters visually. If you have any sagging sections, they may need to be repaired or replaced. Spread a tarp under your work are. Set up the ladder against the wall. Never lean the ladder directly on the gutters; it’s not secure and could damage them. Don’t put the feet of the ladder on the tarp, as it might shift position. The base of the ladder should be one quarter of its working length away from the wall and the ladder should extend three feet past the gutter.
2. Removing Debris
For each section of gutter, start by removing debris with a gutter scoop. A trowel can help with particularly stubborn debris. Make sure you wear sturdy gloves so you can remove larger debris by hand. You can toss the debris down onto the tarp and then dispose of it properly (organic debris is great for your compost heap).
3. Flushing the Gutters
Take your hose and flush the gutters using the spray attachment. Try not to use too much force or pressure, which could damage your gutters. Flush until you have removed all of the small debris. Flush each downspout from the start. If water collects into the gutter while flushing, you have a clog. Inspect the gutters until the downspout. If there’s no clog, the clog is in the downspout.
4. Unclogging Downspouts
If you have a clogged downspout and flushing it with the hose doesn’t work, you may need to use a plumber’s snake or an auger from the ground. Check the opening of the downspout for debris, then use the snake or augur to work up the downspout.In some cases, the best way to do it is to unscrew sections until you find the clog and can tug it out. This is often a good time to call a professional.
5. Inspecting for Damage
Once your gutters are clean, give them a good once over for rust, loose sections, cracks, holes, or any other damage. Get this damage fixed as soon as possible, as it’s compromising your gutters’ ability to protect your home.
Tips for Maintaining Gutters
Other than cleaning your gutters regularly, it’s worth considering some other ways to maintain your gutters. Here are three tips:
Installing Gutter Guards
Gutter guards keep debris out of your gutters and significantly reduce the effort of cleaning. They can potentially reduce frequency too. Get a gutter guard expert to help you decide on the right kind of guards, which depend on your climate and the kind of debris your gutters are exposed to (for example, whether the trees on your property are broad leafed or conifers).
Regular Inspections
Take a look at your gutters frequently. Look for leaks, sagging sections, debris at the bottom of downspouts, etc. A quick visual inspection once a month can help catch gutter problems before they become major.
Professional Maintenance Services
Hiring a professional to handle your maintenance and cleaning is often the best option, especially if you have a multi-storey home or a home built on a hill. Professionals have special gear to access difficult-to-reach gutters and can give you proper advice on how often to clean your gutters.
Common Gutter Problems and How To Fix Them
Even if your gutters have had some maintenance, they might have issues. If you just moved in, or have neglected maintenance, your gutters may have these common issues:
Sagging Gutters
Gutters often sag when they become overloaded with water and debris. Even once they are cleaned, the sag can be permanent. It can be fixed by replacing or reinforcing the hangars that support the gutter, but if the gutter has become significantly bent, it may need to be replaced.
Leaks and Holes
Leaks can sometimes be fixed just by cleaning the gutters, but if your gutters have holes or leaks through seams, you can fix this by patching with gutter sealant. Holes can be patched with metal flashing. Always use proper gutter sealant, also called butyl rubber caulk.
Improper Slope
The optimal slope for your gutters is 1/4 inch per 10 feet for most areas. If the slope is less than this, you will need to have your gutters reinstalled. In some areas, slope may need to be slightly more.
Regularly cleaning your gutters protects your home from water damage. Proper maintenance keeps your gutters and your home in good condition. In some cases, you can do this yourself, but you may be better talking to a professional.
If your gutters need some TLC, Roof Rescue can help. We know gutters and we can help with professional cleaning, repairs, installation of gutter guards, and more. Contact us to talk about your gutters today.
Mark Franklin, owner of Roof Rescue in Idaho Falls, Idaho, has been a trusted name in roofing since 2014. Serving Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah, Roof Rescue specializes in commercial and residential roof replacement and installation. Recognized for community initiatives like the “Operation Roof Rescue” program, which provides free roofs to local heroes, Mark combines professionalism with a passion for giving back. With 16 years of industry experience, an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, and glowing customer reviews, Mark’s leadership embodies quality and community-focused service.
