Tips for Cleaning out Your Gutters This Season

It’s that time of year when the hot summers are finally starting to die down. With the cooler weather comes beautiful fall foliage. However, the beauty doesn’t last long. Once the leaves start to fall, homeowners must add a new chore to their home maintenance to-do list. 

While cleaning the gutters isn’t the most exciting fall activity, it’s important nevertheless. If the gutters get clogged, they can cause many problems. Not only can they lead to water damage and ice dams, but they can also cause water to pool around the foundation and landscaping.

For all of those reasons and more, it’s important that homeowners take the time to clean their gutters right. The St. Louis roofers of Lagunas Roofing have plenty of experience with gutter repairs and installations, so homeowners should carefully consider these helpful tips.

Use the Right Tools

Before a homeowner climbs up on their roof to start working, they should gather the appropriate equipment. The roofers of Lagunas Roofers recommend the following tools:

• Safe Ladder: Homeowners should only use a sturdy ladder that can support their weight plus the weight of a bucket filled with debris. A fiberglass or aluminum ladder should be used in place of wobbly wooden or orchard ladders.
• Garden Hose: A garden hose with an adjustable spray nozzle has two benefits. It can hang on the gutter when not being used and it can change the water pressure.
• Gutter Scoop: Most hardware stores sell plastic scooping tools for gutters. They are designed to fit the shape of the trough, so they can easily scoop any debris. Metal should be avoided as it could cause damage.
• Bucket or Drop Cloth: Depending on how much debris there is, homeowners may prefer to put it directly in a bucket, or they may want to just dump it onto a drop cloth below for fast cleanup.

Start with the Roof

After all of the equipment has been gathered and set up, homeowners should begin clearing the gutters by starting with the roof. It may sound like an unnecessary step, but it can save homeowners more time in the long run. If debris isn’t removed from the roof, it will simply accumulate in the clear gutters the next time it rains.

For a longer-lasting clean, homeowners should use a rake, leaf blower, or broom to clear away any leaves, sticks, or other debris. This step is also a great way to avoid calling a team of roofers for ice dam damage in the future. 

Remove Debris from Gutters

Once the roof is cleaned off, homeowners can finally start using their scoop to remove the debris that has accumulated in the gutters. For best results, they should start from the low end of the gutters and the debris should be slightly damp. If it’s too soggy it will be heavier and harder to clear. If it’s too dry, it may blow around more. 

Though it might be harder to hold and juggle a bucket or container, homeowners can reduce their cleanup time by scooping the debris directly into the bucket. Otherwise, they will have to clean up the drop cloth afterward.

Wash out the Gutters

Once the bulk of the debris has been removed from the gutter troughs, it’s time to hose them down. A high-pressure setting can be useful to remove any first that has been encrusted on the gutters. At the very least, it can loosen the dirt, which can then be removed with a stiff-bristled scrub brush. 

It’s recommended that homeowners start at the high end of the gutters and work their way to the downspout. Though high water pressure is useful, it can be messy, so homeowners should be cautious not to splatter debris onto the siding of their house.

Check and Clear Downspouts

Finally, the job should be completed by ensuring that all of the downspouts are clear. Homeowners can verify that they are working properly by running water down them at full pressure. If the water appears to be backing up, debris might be clogging the downspout. If tapping the side doesn’t help, the downspout may need to be removed and flushed to dislodge the clog. 

Contact a Team of Roofers to Repair or Replace Damaged Gutters 

If homeowners discover damage during the gutter cleaning process, they shouldn’t hesitate to contact a team of roofers for a repair or replacement. The sooner the gutters can get fixed before winter, the better off the home will be! 

Fortunately, customers don’t have to look far to find a team of experts in Madison and St. Clair County. Lagunas Roofing is here to help with any roofing, siding, or gutter needs. Customers can call them to request an inspection, or they can submit an online form to request a free quote.