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How to Clean your Gutters in 7 Simple Steps.
How do I prepare for pressure washing?
Remove debris from the roof. Clean out gutters, downspouts and pipes Clean the siding Clean windows Clean driveway Clean sidewalk Clean deck or patio floor
Gather your supplies
Have all of the following handy (and you will get better results): Scissors to cut through roots Long-handled brush for removing leaves A long flexible hose (to reach downspouts) Cleaning solution (example: Murphy Oil Soap with an anti-microbial to inhibit mold/mildew growth) Cleaning rags or a bucket and brushes Clean water
Apply chemicals for cleaning gutters
Do not use strong chemical solvents. They can damage siding, paint and trim. Choose a soap or solution that will break down tree sap, algae, and other solids that may have built up inside the gutter. Cleaning solutions containing enzymes are best for dissolving organic matter like leaf mold and mildew. Cleaners with chlorine bleach can be used as a last resort if nothing else works because they are caustic chemicals to use only on the inside of aluminum gutters. Cleaning solutions should be kept separate from your water supply, and applied with a spray bottle (not hose-end nozzle).
Materials Needed:
Ladders Bucket Broom/Brush Long-handled Cleaning Brush Clean Water Do not use strong chemical solvents. They can damage siding, paint and trim. Choose a soap or solution that will break down tree sap, algae, and other solids that may have built up inside the gutter. Cleaners with chlorine bleach can be used as a last resort if nothing else works because they are caustic chemicals to use only on the inside of aluminum gutters. Cleaning solutions should be kept separate from your water supply, and applied with a spray bottle (not hose-end nozzle).
Do I need to wear protective gear?
Because pressure washing can cause over spray that lands on neighboring properties, you may want to wear protective gear while cleaning gutters. Cleaning solutions should be kept separate from your water supply, and applied with a spray bottle (not hose-end nozzle).
What do I need to clean out my gutters?
You will need:
1. Cleaning tools (a good quality ladder, long-handled cleaning utensils)
2. Cleaning agent - gutter cleaning chemicals depending on your application needs.
3. A safe working environment with proper footwear and clothing to protect yourself from potential scrapes and cuts!
4. A bucket and towel for post-gutter cleaning cleanup.
5. Water depending on your application types (hose line, gutter sprayers,).
6. A ladder that will fit your gutter system to provide you proper access to the gutters and downspouts!
What is the difference between a pressure washer and a power washer?
Power Cleaner is a pressure washer. It uses high-pressure water to blast away dirt, grime, and debris that have been trapped in the gutters for a long time. If left alone, this build-up can cause major problems with your house such as mold or even structural damage in extreme cases so it's important that you keep your gutters clean.
7 Cleaning Steps to Clean Your Gutters:
Step 1 - Cleaning Debris Out of the Gutters:
Begin at the top of the house and work your way down towards the ground or in reverse from one end of the house to another. Work in manageable batches with manageable amounts of steps so you don't get too tired out.
Clean Trees, Shrubs and Other Debris: If there are trees or shrubs close to your home, they can easily drop leaves, twigs, bird droppings and other debris into the gutters. Clean this out carefully with a long-handled gutter cleaning brush. Clean the brush on the ground frequently to keep downward pressure from remolding the debris and dirt back into your gutters!
Step 2 - Cleaning Out Debris in Downspouts:
Clean clogs in downspouts using Cleaner or Clean Gutters Gutter Cleaning Brush (as needed).
Step 3 - Cleaning Downspouts from the Ground:
Clean clogs and debris from the downspouts as much as you can reach from ground level. Since this is usually only about a foot of downspout, Cleaning Brush can usually handle the job.
Step 4 - Cleaning Out Downspouts from the Top:
Clean clogs and debris out from the top of the downspout by attaching aGutters Pole Cleaning Hanger to your ladder and reaching down into each downspout from the top of the house. Cleaning Brush can also be used effectively as a long-handled tool for this step.
Clean out large debris using Cleaning Brush (as needed) while you have access to the top of the downspout.
Step 5 - Cleaning Downspouts and Gutters with Cleaner:
Clean gutters with Cleaner following the dosing directions on your product label or in the instructions on container.
Use a Clean Brush to follow up the Cleaner application.
Clean gutter downspouts from the top of the downspout with Cleaner or Cleaning Brush (as needed).
Clean gutter downspouts from the top of the downspout with Clean Gutters Power Cleaner or Clean Gutters Gutter Cleaning Brush (as needed). Refer to Step 4 above regarding the use of Clean Gutters Pole Cleaning Hanger for this purpose.
Step 6 - When finished with the equipment, clean it thoroughly! Use a garden hose and brush attachment to scrub off any caked-on Cleaner residue.
Step 7 - Moving Forward: It's important not to let dirt build up in the gutters because over time it can cause structural damage to your home. Gutter Cleaning Brush makes it easy to effectively clean out your gutters from the ground or a ladder!
How do I fix clogged gutters?
Dirt and debris clogging the gutter is an easy way to tell that it's not working properly. Gravity pulls the water away from your house and into the gutter. Dirt and debris can clog gutter seams, causing water to spray from the joints. The water backing up the bottom of your downspouts should go through the extension.
Where do dirt and debris gather in the gutter?
The downspout cage, an item that traps debris while allowing water to flow freely through it, is located where the downspout intersects with the gutter. Often this item becomes bent or out of place.
Clogs in gutters usually start with a simple object—a gutter hanger or spike slips off, then catches leaves and debris.
The downspout is a likely spot for clogs, too. Working your way down from the gutter, tap the outside of the downspout with a screwdriver and listen for a dull thud (as opposed to hollow ring). This will indicate the location of the clog.
Unclog that Gutter!
In order for it to function as intended, clogging dirt and debris must be cleaned from a gutter.
To avoid clogging or water spilling across your home, you should remove all the accumulated debris in your gutters.
If you find that your gutter is clogged, try to clean it and re-install the cage.
If the cage is damaged or missing, replacement screens cost just a few bucks.
If the clog is caused by loose hangers or spikes.
Cleaning Gutters – Do-it-yourself or Hiring a Professional?
Hiring a professional cleaner can be expensive. But if you don't know how to properly clean the gutters, doing it yourself not only takes time but also costs money in the end. Cleaning your gutters often will save you lots of money in repairs and cleaning in the long run as well as preventing potential damage done by clogs that can allow water and debris to get into and damage the structure of your home. Cleaning gutters is also a hazard, so only do it yourself when it's absolutely necessary.
How Often Should Cleaning Gutters be Done?
The best time for cleaning is during or after heavy rainfall. The amount of rainfall can definitely determine the frequency of cleaning gutters. Cleaning can be done on a weekly basis for light rainfall areas to monthly or bimonthly in areas where it rains heavily and the leaves are wet when they fall. Cleaning is important after a heavy rain because that's when the gutter becomes full with foreign material that might clog it.