Gutter cleaning is an important home maintenance task that can prevent costly water damage. It also keeps pests and rodents from nesting in the gutters.
One technique involves using a bucket to scoop debris into as you work. This method works well if the gutter is dry. The other option is to use a hand-held scoop or trowel and work from corner to corner of the gutter section. You can return to our home page.
Safety First
Gutter cleaning requires standing on a ladder, which can be dangerous. Falls from ladders are the number two cause of home injuries, and they can be fatal.
It’s important to inspect the ladder before using it and set it up on stable, even ground. The ladder should also be tall enough to reach the gutters without overreaching. If you’re unsure of your ladder safety skills, hire a professional gutter cleaner.
Professionals begin by raking all visible debris off the roof and placing it in a bucket, which they hook to their ladder for stability. They also wear gloves to keep their hands safe from bacteria, mold, and animal droppings. Eye protection is also necessary since rats, birds, frogs, and wasps often breed in clogged gutters.
Clean the Gutters
Clogged gutters allow water to spill over the sides and down the walls of your house. This causes rot and can lead to expensive home repairs. Gutter cleaning keeps this problem at bay by ensuring that debris and water can flow freely from the roof to the rain spouts.
Gutter cleaning also minimizes basement flooding caused by overflowing gutters. This problem fuels the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause breathing problems for you and your family. It can also spoil your furniture, electronics, and other valuables that are stored in your basement.
To prevent this, schedule regular gutter cleanings for the spring and fall. When doing this, make sure to work on a day with good weather and to use a ladder you can trust.
Clean the Downspouts
If your gutter spouts are clogged, water won’t be draining properly and will overflow the gutter. This can lead to basement flooding, rotting fascia, sagging gutters, and pest infestation.
Gutter spouts are designed to carry rainwater away from the house and into underground drains, so they need to be clear of clogs and debris. This is especially important if you have a sagging gutter since it won’t be able to carry the weight of clogged water.
A clogged downspout is usually easy to detect. If it rains moderately and there is still little-to-no water coming out of the downspout, this indicates a downspout clog. If you are comfortable working on ladders, you can try banging on the downspout to loosen any debris that has accumulated.
Prevent Water Damage
One of the primary reasons to schedule preventative gutter cleanings is to avoid water damage. Rainwater flowing through clean gutters and downspouts funnels away from the house, minimizing chances of basement flooding, foundation cracks, and other serious problems.
A clogged gutter can trap water on the roof, which can leak into walls, ceilings, and other parts of the house. This can ruin furniture, electronics, and other belongings housed in the basement and lead to costly repairs.
Gutter cleaning can also help minimize roof damage by preventing water overflow. Overflowing gutters can deposit water on walkways and driveways, causing a slip hazard during the winter or damaging paving materials. This can be prevented by keeping the gutters clear of leaves, twigs, and other debris.
Prevent Pest Infestation
Gutters can become a breeding ground for pests when they aren’t cleaned. Rats, mice, squirrels, and birds seek shelter in clogged gutters where they can build nests. Their droppings can contaminate insulation and damage wood and wiring. Rodents are also known to carry diseases such as leptospirosis and hantavirus. Their gnawing can cause significant structural damage to the house itself. Clogged gutters can also attract cockroaches that are drawn to the damp environment.
Standing water and debris can also attract mosquitoes, flies, bees, wasps, hornets, ants, termites, centipedes, millipedes, and other pests. In addition, clogged gutters may overflow and pour on the foundation of the house. This can cause water and wood rot and attract carpenter ants and termites. Regularly cleaning your gutters and directing downspouts away from the house can prevent these pests. Discover more interesting articles.
