Gutters are designed to transport rainwater from your roof down through a drain and into the ground, minimising basement flooding and foundation damage. They also prevent rodent and insect infestations by keeping water away from your home’s structure.
Gutter Cleaning Mt Pleasant SC is recommended at least twice a year. Those who feel comfortable climbing a ladder and are willing to do the work themselves can save money by cleaning their own gutters.
- Ladder
Ladders are the primary tools you’ll need to access gutters during gutter cleaning. They should be the right height for the job and have a high enough load capacity to support your weight while you’re on it. You should also have ladder stabilizers that fit onto the feet of the ladder for stability. You can buy these separately or find ladders with them built in to save money.
The best type of ladder for gutter cleaning is a telescoping one. These work like telescopes, extending up to reach the height of the gutter. They’re easy to move, reposition, and store, and are available in multiple sizes. If you need a ladder to reach the gutters of a two-story house, for example, look for a model with an extended height of at least 13 or 26 feet.
Another ladder option is an A-frame one with a platform that you can stand on while working. This design makes it easier to clean the sides of the gutters since you don’t need to lean as far to reach them. However, this style can be awkward to move around and may not be stable enough for higher gutters.
You can also opt for a combination ladder that transforms into stairs, trestles, or a stepladder and extension ladder. These are convenient and offer a maximum load capacity of up to 375 pounds. However, be careful when using a combination ladder; make sure that it’s fully extended before climbing, and choose a design with built-in stabilization.
Unlike metal ladders, wood ones warp and rot over time and are harder to lug around your property. If you want a durable ladder that’s also lightweight, consider an aluminum option. These don’t rust or attract pests, and they’re easy to transport and reposition as you work. Whenever you’re on a ladder, be sure to maintain three points of contact and take regular breaks. Never overreach; this is one of the main causes of falls from ladders.
- Garden Hose
If your gutters are not extremely clogged, you can leave the ladder in the garage and clean them from the ground with a garden hose and an attachment designed for the purpose. This technique works best when you are comfortable on the ground and can maneuver the attachment to work in areas that are difficult to access with a ladder. The disadvantage of this method is that twigs, leaves and dirt can get in your eyes as you work, which can be very irritating and potentially painful.
To make this task easier, consider using a PVC spray-wand attachment that has three high-pressure holes drilled in it. To build this long sprayer, connect two 90-degree elbows to two 6-foot lengths of PVC pipe, then glue a cap on one end of the “U” and drill three holes into it (you can also add a shutoff valve here). Attach the wand to your garden hose, and as you walk along the gutter, press the nozzle against the wall to direct water toward it and dislodge debris from the surface.
If you find a section of your gutter that is especially clogged, try pouring boiling water over it to break up the organic material. This can be done from the ground if it is easily accessible, or you may need to stand on a ladder and maneuver the hose into the downspout opening. If you can’t remove the clog with this method, it is probably time to hire a professional gutter cleaning service to clear your home of debris. In most cases, this is a very affordable and worthwhile investment to avoid expensive water damage repairs down the road.
- Wet/Dry Vacuum Attachment
A wet/dry vacuum can help remove and transport debris from gutters while providing safety and convenience. This WORKSHOP vacuum gutter cleaning kit is designed to fit most shop vacuums that utilize 2-1/2 in. diameter hoses. The gutter kit allows the user to collect debris using the vac’s suction power and blow it away using the blower function. This kit includes 2 locking extension wands to lengthen the hose’s reach, a 90-degree elbow with a convenient angle to direct the vac’s power, a blower nozzle to concentrate the vac’s airstream, and a male-to-male adapter. The 2-1/2-inch diameter hose allows for larger sized debris collection and maximum airflow.
- Handheld Shovel or Hook
While not ideal, this low-cost gutter cleaning tool does the trick for many homeowners who do not wish to spend an arm and a leg on equipment. It’s easy to use, requires no additional power sources, and is very effective. It features an extended tongue for reaching underneath the gutter. This model is also very lightweight, which helps to prevent strain while cleaning the gutters. This gutter cleaner is best used for clearing out the majority of loose debris from the top-level of the gutter, while leaving the bottom-level clogs and dirt to be scooped out by hand.
Gutter cleaners are a handy way to clean your home’s gutters, but the right ladder and other tools help you complete the job safely and efficiently. Professional gutter cleaners are experts at completing this task, but even amateurs can achieve the same results with the proper equipment and procedure.
If you’re an experienced ladder user who practices ladder safety — keeping both feet on the ladder at all times, working on level ground, and being aware of your surroundings — then you can easily handle this DIY project. A ladder that reaches up to the gutter height is necessary, as well as a sturdy pair of outdoor gloves for your hands.
Many homeowners choose to use a hand trowel or similar scoop to clear large debris from the gutters. A hand trowel is a simple and effective tool that works great for digging through dirt, leaves, and other small debris. This gutter cleaning tool also works well for removing compacted leaves that have become set in the bottom of the gutters. To use this tool, simply access the gutters from a ladder, scoop out the material, and dump it into a bucket.
- Scoop
A scoop is a classic gutter cleaning tool that many homeowners choose for its simplicity and affordability. This type of tool features a long handle with a curved or flat scoop at the end, which allows you to manually reach up and remove leaves, dirt, moss, and gunk from your gutters. It also allows you to reach under structures on your roof such as skylights, which can be tricky to clean. A standard garden trowel or a child’s sandbox shovel can be used in place of a gutter scoop as well.
When using a scoop, start at the corners of each gutter section and work your way toward the middle. This helps prevent pushing debris into the downspouts, which can lead to clogs. If your gutters are particularly dirty, you may need to repeat the process several times in order to completely clear all of the debris. Inspect your gutters on a regular basis, especially after heavy storms, to catch problems such as moss growth and water overflow.
As always, it is recommended that you wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when climbing on a ladder and to have a partner or friend standing nearby to steady the ladder, control foot traffic around the ladder, and call for help in the event of an emergency. You should also spread a tarp underneath your workspace to collect any debris you remove from the roof and to avoid damage to your lawn or landscaping. A good quality, multi-purpose cleaning solution can also make the job of gutter cleaning much easier by loosening and dissolving ingrained organic build-up and preventing future dirt from sticking to your gutters. In addition, a pressure washer attachment with a brush nozzle can be used to blast away caked-on mud and sludge in difficult to reach areas.