Gutter cleaning is an essential chore that is often overlooked by many homeowners. The purpose of maintaining a gutter is simple – to ensure that the water stays away from the house to keep the structure intact and protect it from damage. Sometimes, though, rainwater, leaves, and dirt accumulate in the gutter instead of flowing down, and this can easily clog the gutters and trap debris. But don’t worry; we have some interesting ideas to keep your gutters free of debris.
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Regular Maintenance
This is a given. It takes regular gutter maintenance to ensure that the gutters of your home remain free of debris. You can either climb up the ladder to do it yourself or you can hire a professional gutter cleaning company for this purpose. The important rule to remember is that you should clean your gutter at least 3 times a year to keep it free of debris.
However, your cleaning schedule can even be more frequent if you live in an area where there are a lot of trees or if you experience frequent storms. If you are concerned about safety, it is better to call a professional cleaning company than to take on the task yourself.
Use a Water Hose
A simple garden hose can quickly clear up a gutter. Make sure that the hose you use has the option to adjust the water pressure accordingly. The process is fairly simple – just spray water onto the gutter to clean out the debris. You may need to increase the pressure if you encounter a particularly difficult-to-remove piece of debris.
Trim the Trees
Another effective way to prevent the buildup of debris is to regularly trim your trees. Make sure that you trim or cut off the branches that hand above your gutter; otherwise, the leaves will just fall right into it. Trimming your trees will at least reduce the amount of debris that accumulate in the gutter.
Use Gutter Screens
Gutter cleaning can become easier if you use gutter screens. There are various types of gutter screens available in different shapes and sizes. Some screens, such as the plastic drop-in screen, are very simple and easy to install. While these screens are very good at keeping most pieces of debris out, smaller pieces such as tiny twigs and needles can still get into the gutters.
Use Surface Tension Guards
A surface tension guard ensures that water clings to the nose of the guard and flows into the gutter instead of accumulating in it. In order for this method to work best, you need to ensure that the slope of the tension guard matches the slope of the roof. However, leaves and other debris can still fall on the edge, but the cleaning process becomes a lot simpler.
Use a Leaf Catcher
A leaf catcher is different from a guard as it keeps the debris up at roof level. The debris comes down through the downpipe and is caught by the leaf catcher when it is close to the ground. All you have to do is install it into your downpipes and wait for the debris to get caught. You can easily remove all of the debris with your hand once caught. There is no need to climb up a ladder.
Install a Gutter System
The type of gutter system you currently have can also make a difference when it comes to how much debris is being trapped in it. If you want a permanent solution, you can install a new gutter system to prevent further problems. The all-in-one gutter system comes with a gutter and a cap to keep leaves and other debris out. However, this is an expensive option so you should choose this way only if your gutter condition has worsened over the years.
Use a Gutter Scooper
This might sound disgusting, and it is a pretty disgusting task, but a gutter scooper allows you to easily clear your gutter. It is an easy-to-use tool and also allows you to navigate through the gutter to scoop out the smallest and the toughest debris.
Unclog the Downspouts
A clogged downspout can often cause the gutter to get clogged too. The purpose of a downspout or a drain pipe is to carry rainwater away from the house and keep the gutter clean. However, if the downspout gets clogged, the water flow will be blocked, resulting in the accumulation of debris in the gutter. You can clean the downspout by using a water hose to flush out all of the clogged material from the bottom.
Use a Fine Mesh Gutter Guard
These guards are better at catching small seeds, twigs, and needles. Gutter guards are easy to install and cleaning simply by using a brush or warm air. But you should be careful of the type of material the guards are made to ensure that they last longer.
Install a Spout Off
Installing a spout off is a simple solution to your debris problem. These outlets are designed with a larger opening which allows the water to run down easily. These outlets are also easy to clean and maintain as they have a removable downspout. Another plus point is that you won’t have to climb a ladder or hire a professional to do the job for you. The spout off can be added to your current gutter system or even a new one. It is easy to install and maintain, even on a regular basis.
Conclusion
We hope that these tips were helpful to you. Gutter cleaning can be a strenuous and difficult task, especially if you have to do it yourself. But once you start maintaining your gutter system on a regular basis, you will get the hang of it, and the task will gradually become a whole lot easier.
