DIY GUTTER CLEANING – How To Clean Gutters Yourself

So, how do you clean your gutter yourself? We can appreciate how perhaps having a clean gutter isn’t the top of your priority list. So this article outlines everything you need to know about DIY gutter cleaning.

WHY SHOULD I CLEAN MY GUTTERS?

Gutters are a key function when it comes to the home drainage system, and failing to maintain your gutters and ensure they’re kept clean can result in blockage, damp, mould and even structural damage to the home. Failing to maintain and clean your gutters can lead to invalid home insurance and rejected claims should any damage occur to your home as a result of the improper gutter health that was preventable. So, when is the best time to have your gutters cleaned? It is crucial that your gutters are cleaned at least twice a year, but most crucially they need to be examined and cleaned in the autumn before the winter weather can freeze any blocked water and wreak havoc on the home.

CAN I CLEAN MY OWN GUTTERS?

So while technically you can clean your own gutter, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. There are quite a few things to consider before you scale your 2-story home. Firstly you need to consider if you have the time to be able to clean your gutters. A thorough gutter cleaning isn’t something that is a quick job. You need to be able to dedicate the time needed to clean your guttering properly, thoroughly and safely.

Secondly you need to consider what equipment you have to work with. It is important to have the appropriate tools for safety and efficiency reasons. You need to ensure you have tools like, a ladder, a stabiliser, protective gloves, a sturdy bucket to clear the debris, even a pressure washer may be necessary based on how bad your gutters are. Hiring these tools can be expensive and time consuming so it may be worth hiring a professional.

Lastly, it is important to examine your feelings toward heights and decide whether or not you are able to handle the height and manoeuvrability on a roof. A 2-storey gutter cleaning project is not the easiest project to handle alone and there are clear dangers associated with being at a height near the edge of the roof! If you have any concerns at all regarding the height or your safety, it would definitely be in your best interest to hire a professional, or at least consult with one. Blitz cleaning offers cleaning in Cambridge and Essex including Chelmsford.

HOW DO I CLEAN MY OWN GUTTERS?

So if you are prepared to clean your own gutters and have the proper tools and enough time, then here are some tips to help you with this task.

GUTTER CLEANING TOOLS

So what tools will you need to complete the task of cleaning your own gutters? Here is a list of what you will need:

Ladder : For access to your gutters
Ladder Stabiliser: For safety
Bucket/Bin bag: To collect the waste
Gardening Gloves (Ideally waterproof): For protection
Trowel: To scoop out the waste
Hose or Bucket with water: To flush out the guttering and any left over debris
CLEANING YOUR GUTTER WITH A LADDER
Firstly, you will need to select a safe position for your ladder. You will need to select an appropriate area where the ladder will not sink or slide as for obvious reasons this is a safety hazard! It is also important to have a ladder stabiliser to ensure that your ladder is fixed in place.

Next you will need to scrape out all of the leaves, rubbish and debris from your gutter, and for this you will need a bucket or a bin bag to contain the mess instead of letting it hit the floor (as this just creates more work for you!) You can scoop out the debris either by hand with your gloves on or you can use a trowel. Scoop the debris toward you as this shall prevent you from over-extending yourself which can cause you to become unbalanced on the ladder. Work a small area at a time to ensure that you are working carefully and thoroughly.

Once you have cleaned the area you are positioned in, you will need to descend your ladder and set it up again in the next area, ensuring it is positioned safely. Repeat this process until you are finished.

Next, you will need to wash out your gutter. This will target any missed waste and ensure a proper clean-through of your guttering. To do this you can use a hose, which is the most accessible and easiest method. To do this you simply need to start at the beginning of your gutter run, and get a decent stream going from your hose and then work your way along so the remaining matter flows down to your downpipe.

Most of this can be done from the same position, however you may need to reposition your ladder toward the centre of the gutter run to ensure your hose water can reach the entirety of the gutter. You can also use a bucket of water to do this part of the job if you do not have access to a hose, however it will take a bit longer to complete. You can also use a specialist gutter cleaner to complete this job and most gutter cleaners can be used from the ground which is obviously a lot safer, however these can be expensive and it is harder to see what you’re doing.

HOW DO I CLEAN MY DOWNPIPE?

Lastly, you will need to check your downpipe. If you believe that your downpipe is blocked then a good method to check is to tap the downpipe with an item like a screwdriver, tap up and down and if there is no blockage the screwdriver will produce an echoey hollow sound, however if there is a blockage the screwdriver will produce a dull hit.

In order to remove a blockage from your downpipe, put your hose down the downpipe until you feel where the blockage is. Turn the hose on to produce a powerful stream and usually this is enough to get the blockage moving. If for some reason the blockage doesn’t move, then the downpipe will need removing and the blockage will need to be dealt with by hand.

CONCLUSION

Ultimately, it is safer, easier and sometimes even cheaper to hire a professional to clean your guttering. But if you find yourself in a position where you are confident that you can complete the task yourself, this article should help you get started on this important household job.

If you need your gutters cleaned by the professionals, call Blitz Cleaning today on 0800 112 3337 to get a quote.