DIY Cleaning Gutters

Not many people think about their gutters and their importance. During a heavy rain gutters take care of the excess runoff by leading the water from the roof safely to the ground. The wind can easily lift the leaves off of the ground and leave them on your roofing system. That debris will eventually end up down in your gutters and once it does it will clog them. Clogged gutters can cause many problems which can damage your roof, your walls, your roof supporting structure and full structural integrity of your home. Keeping your gutters clean, debris-free and rust-free will prolong the life cycle of your roofing material and your property.

Dangers of clogged gutters

Debris buildup on your roof can cause various problems for your roofing system and roofing material. Fallen leaves, dirt and dust will eventually get wet, and it will become the breeding ground for mold, mildew, and algae. If your roofing material is in constant contact with water, it will deteriorate faster, and it will break prematurely. Same that debris can end up in your gutters and do the same amount of damage. It can cause clogs which prevent water from ending up safely in sewer or ground. Excess water will start spilling over the edge, and it will end up everywhere. If water enters your attic, it can easily cause damage to your roof support structure and your attic insulation. Wooden roof support structure can get infected with dry rot which will significantly weaken the structural integrity of your property. All of that can lead to expensive roofing repairs or a complete roof replacement. Regular inspections and cleaning can prevent all of that.

Cleaning your gutters

Cleaning your gutters is not too complicated. Things you will need are ladders, gloves, work boots, rake and eye protection. Use your ladders to access your roof where you can easily see and clean your gutters. First, use the rake to rake down all the leaves and debris present on your roof. If you clean your gutters but leave the rest of the debris on your roof, that same waste will end up in your gutters during the next rain. Rake it all down and then use your gloves to remove any debris from your gutters. Don't leave anything behind. You can spread nylon over the ground below before cleaning your gutters so you can quickly throw down all collected debris. When you have removed all leaves and dirt from your gutters, use your garden hose to wash down the gutters and to see if there are clogs present in downspouts. If you notice that the water is draining too slow, you will probably have to disassemble your downspouts and unclog them with a pressure washer or some long object. Also, while you are up there check to see if there are spots where your gutters are getting loose and inspect them for any signs of rust. If large areas of your gutters are covered in rust, you will need to replace them with new ones. If you don't feel confident doing that, you can always contact your local roofing company, and they will do that for you quick and correctly. Gutter inspection and cleaning should be performed at least once during a year if you want to be assured that your home won't falls victim to water damage.

Remember, if you don't feel confident in your roofing skills or if you are not that big of a fan of heights you can always hire a professional to do that for you. Skilled and experienced roofing contractor will be able to perform gutter cleaning and maintenance for you. Also, they can inspect your whole roofing system to see if there are some hidden problems present. They can provide you with the extensive report of roof inspection and recommend you what you should do next. Catching any problems early on will save you money, and it will keep your whole house safe and leak-free.