What's the Best Way to Clean My Gutters?
Q: What’s the best way to clean my gutters?
A: Your gutters are the most efficient way to move water running off of your roof to keep it far away from the foundation of your home. This helps prevent problems like wet crawl spaces and foundation wash-out, among other issues, so it's important to know how to clean them properly. Cleaning gutters is pretty simple stuff, but a lot of people make it more difficult than it needs to be. Your goal should be to get as much debris out of the gutter itself without sending it into the downspout, where clogs readily form and are difficult to dislodge. Follow these three easy steps in order for best success:
1. Work from the corners
Always remove debris from the corners and downspouts toward the center of the gutter. If you do it the other way, you risk moving material into the downspouts and creating jams that are not easy to remove.
2. Scoop out the middle
Debris in the middle needs to be removed next, and remove as much as you can while you’re at it. Don’t count on flushing it into the downspout, since that can add to jams. Use your hand, a trowel, or a gutter scoop and dump your debris into a bucket or drop it onto a tarp on the ground.
3. Check the elbows
Elbows are a common place for clogs to form, so check all the elbows in your downspout for issues. If there is a clog, you may be able to clear it with a blast of water from your garden hose. Bigger blockages might need a power washer or plumber’s snake to break free.
Once you’ve cleaned your gutters out, run some water through them with your hose to make sure they’re not leaking anywhere. This is the best time to repair them, since they’re fairly clean and will be much easier to manipulate. If you’ve got areas that are leaking, apply some sealant or replace the section, depending on the cause of the leak. This is also an excellent time to install some sort of gutter guard to help prevent build-up. Remember that gutter guards still need to be cleaned, but tend to protect better against clogs.
Article courtesy of homekeepr.com