Your gutters provide a safe and effective path for rainwater to run off and away from your home, but you need to make sure that it is kept clean and free of blockages which can lead to expensive repairs. Typically, the gutters fill with dead leaves and other detritus which accumulates over time and especially at this time of year with Fall and the wetter weather.
If you let your gutters deteriorate, then eventually water will pour down on to woodwork, siding and create damp around brickwork and foundation of your home. More than this, the weight of accumulated debris and trapped water will eventually lead to a weakening of the gutter fixings which in turn, can lead to the gutters and downpipes coming loose from their mounting.
You can hire someone to perform the service for you, and if you are uncomfortable working up a ladder, and certainly if your roof is more than one story in height, you should consider this option, otherwise you can easily do the job yourself and save some valuable money.
You should clean your gutters at least twice a year and more often if your roof is situated under trees (because of the debris not just from falling leaves but also from branches and twigs). You will need a sturdy ladder; a step-ladder is best but an extension ladder can also be used as long as you are careful when you set it up – it will lean against the gutter and you must not break it. You can protect the gutter to some extent by placing a piece of 2 x 4 inside it. At all times, ensure the ladder is standing on a firm base and is secure before you climb it.
It is dangerous to work from the roof side rather than from a ladder – only if you have a very gently steeping pitch and have good weather conditions, so the roof is not wet, icy or has snow on it and there is no wind, should you consider working from the roof itself.
First step is to scoop out the loose debris and start from the low end of the gutter at the point where it meets the drainpipe. Next, use your water hose to apply a jet of water under pressure to clean away any more stubborn debris and finally, make sure the drainpipes are not blocked (use a plumber’s auger or snake to clear blocked drainpipes).
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