Gutter cleaning is recommended to be done on a regular basis. This is to prevent heavy dirt build-up and safeguard guttering from water damage.
Window Gang offers professional gutter cleaning, which removes any debris, dirt, and leaves from your gutter system to preserve your home. This includes removing tiger stripes (black streaks on the roof from gutter runoff). They also inspect and flush your gutters. See our home page.
Clearing Clogged Gutters
All gutters clog eventually, and if left unchecked, clogged gutters can cause water damage to the home. To keep your gutters functioning properly, they need to be cleared of debris periodically.
To clear a clogged gutter, you will need a ladder that is tall enough to reach your roof and a bucket or garbage bag for the debris. You will also need to have a tool to scoop out the debris and a hose that can be used to flush out the gutter.
A plumbing snake is helpful in dislodging heavy clogs. Begin by loosening the clog with the tip of the snake and working it through the gutter until the clog is removed. Then flush the gutters and downspouts with a hose to remove any remaining debris. A clogged gutter can be caused by a variety of things, including leaves, pine needles, twigs, bird droppings, and animal feces. Stains on the exterior or inside of the home are another indicator that the gutters are clogged.
Cleaning the Gutters
The gutter system controls the flow of rainwater that protects the roof, walls, foundation, and landscape from mold, rot, and other problems. If the gutters are clogged, it can lead to overflowing and water that seeps through the roof and into the walls and basement. Gutter cleaning and maintenance can keep the gutter system clean and functioning properly.
Climbing a ladder to scoop out leaves and debris from the gutters is tedious work. Using a gutter-cleaning sled mounted on the end of a telescoping ladder makes the job much faster and safer, as it enables you to remain on the ground while still achieving a thorough clean.
Keeping your gutters clean can help prevent black streaks that are known as tiger stripes or zebra striping. These stains are caused by a chemical reaction between aluminum gutters and the runoff from asphalt roof shingles. It’s best to remove these stains promptly, as they can be difficult or impossible to remove after they become oxidized.
Clearing the Downspouts
Gutter downspouts are designed to direct rainwater away from your roof, walls, and foundation to protect them and the rest of the home. If they get clogged and overflow, the water can leak through windows, ruin the siding, rot the foundation, or flood the basement.
Cleaning the downspouts is a messy job that requires a ladder and can be dangerous. The best way to tackle this is to lay a tarp on the ground and use a gutter scoop or spatula—even a plastic bucket from the sandbox will work—to toss out any gunk that’s caught in the downspout. Then rinse the gutters with a hose to clear out any remaining gunk and check the downspout for leaks or other problems.
Window Gang recommends that homeowners clean their gutters at least twice a year—in the spring and the fall. These maintenance visits ensure that your gutters are free of debris and functioning properly. In addition, our crews can also seal leaks, mount hangers to fix sagging metal and perform any other repairs on your windows and gutters while they are up there—saving you time, money, and risk.
Inspecting the Gutters
Gutters are designed to protect roofs, siding, foundations, and other parts of a home from water damage. Periodic inspections will ensure that they are working as intended.
If a gutter is too high, too low, or out of alignment with the other gutters, it could be caused by improper installation or wear and tear. Fortunately, this type of problem is often easy to fix. Using caulking, a leaking gutter seam can be sealed in no time.
A clogged gutter can be caused by biological growth such as moss or lichen, as well as corrosive acid excreted by the biological material. A hose can be used to flush the gutters and downspouts to remove debris. A fungicide can also be applied to the gutters to help prevent any future deterioration. Lastly, a visual inspection should be conducted from the ground. This is an ideal time to look for missing sections or stains which may indicate a more severe problem with the gutters. Next blog post.
