How to Clean Gutters

If you’re facing an afternoon cleaning gutters, you’re not the envy of your neighbors, and you’re most likely not looking forward to the task. Cleaning gutters isn’t much fun, but it’s certainly not rocket science either.

Find a Safe Ladder

Unless you’re of unusual height or have low gutters, you’ll need a ladder to help you reach the gutters you’re looking to clean. Using a ladder requires a bit of safety training. Always position the ladder so that the feet of the ladder are planted firmly on the ground at the same height. A rocking ladder is bad news. Use an appropriate angle and ask a friend or partner to come and spot you while you work on the ladder. Never use the top step and never lean out over the side of a ladder as you can pull the ladder over with your weight.

Put on Work Gloves

There can be some nasty critters in a clogged gutter and you’ll want to protect your hands from anything that might be lurking there. Put on heavy work gloves and you might even stick a garden trowel or hand rake in your back pocket to use on particularly sticky spots. Wear sensitive work clothing as well and sturdy shoes to give you better traction on the ladder you’ll be climbing over and over again.

Scoop Out Debris

Clean the gutters by scooping out and depositing the debris that gets wedged inside. Use your hand rake or trowel to scoop it up. You can deposit the junk in a trash bag or drop it directly onto the yard and landscaping where it might blend in or can be used for firewood later. Get everything out of each gutter to reduce the number of Saturday mornings you’ll be doing this every year.

Check Gutters and Wood for Damage

While you’re at eyelevel with your gutters and the wood behind them, check for potential damage. It is not uncommon for wood behind gutters to rot and need to be replaced. When it is time to replace your gutters, given the choice, you might consider installing a gutter cover to help keep leaves and other amounts of debris out.

Easy Step By Step Instructions For Cleaning Your Gutters

• Find a safe ladder to work with
• Find heavy duty work gloves and correct eyewear for the project
• Use a garden trowel or rake to help you scoop out and dispose of the trash and debris found inside the gutters

Warnings, Advice, and Suggestions When Cleaning Gutters

You can put your gutters to use for you by using rainwater recycling. Collect the water from the gutters to use in watering plants and landscaping.

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