Gutter cleaning and maintenance tips
4 min read
Gutter maintenance is an often overlooked but crucial aspect of home upkeep. Cleaning your gutters is not just about preserving the look of your home; it's an essential step in protecting its structural integrity. We will cover the importance of gutter cleaning and offer practical tips on keeping gutters clean in order to prevent damage to your house later.
What is the importance of gutter cleaning?
Gutters are critical in directing rainwater away from your home's foundation, walls, and landscaping. Water can overflow when gutters become clogged with leaves, twigs, and debris, leading to costly problems such as foundation damage, landscape erosion, and even interior water damage. Regular cleaning prevents these problems and prolongs the life of your gutters. Learn more about whether homeowners insurance covers gutters.
How often should you clean your gutters?
How often you clean your gutters is based on the number of trees around your home and your local climate. Generally, you'll want to clean gutters at least twice a year: once in the spring and once in the fall. However, more frequent cleaning might be necessary if several trees surround your house.
How long does it take to clean gutters?
The time it takes to clean your gutters can vary due to factors like the size of your house, the condition of the gutters, and how much debris is present. It could take about 30 minutes for an average single story home with a simple gutter system according to Trusted Gutters. For a larger home of 5,000 sq. ft., add another 2-3 hours or more. Those with more complex gutter systems may require additional time.
How to clean gutters
- Gather your safety supplies and tools: Get a sturdy ladder, garden hose, gloves, eye protection, and a helper to hold the ladder and pass your tools.
- Remove debris: Using a garden trowel or your hands (while wearing gloves), scoop out leaves, twigs, and other debris from the gutters.
- Flush the gutters: After removing the debris, use a garden hose to flush the gutters to help you spot any leaks or additional blockages.
- Check the downspouts: Ensure the water flows freely through your downspouts. If there's a blockage, you may need to call in a pro to clear it.
- Inspect the gutter for damage: While cleaning, inspect your gutters for any signs of damage. Call a professional to assess the damage and recommend solutions.
If you're cleaning up after a storm, learn whether homeowners insurance covers storm damage.
How to clean downspouts
Downspouts are integral to your gutter system, directing water away from your home's foundation. To clean them:
- Remove obstructions: Clear any visible debris from the downspout's top.
- Use a plumber's snake: For deeper clogs, a plumber's snake down the downspout can break up the blockage. If you’re not comfortable operating a snake, you should call in a gutter cleaning pro to clear any blockages for you.
- Flush with water to test: After clearing the obstruction, flush the downspout with water to ensure the blockage is clear.
Can gutters be cleaned with a pressure washer?
While you can use a pressure washer for gutter cleaning, it's essential that you use it cautiously. The high water pressure can damage gutters if you don't handle it properly. If you use a pressure washer, use a low-pressure setting and work from a distance to prevent damage.
How do I keep my gutters clean and looking new?
Here are some gutter maintenance tips from My Gutter Pro to help keep your gutters and downspouts in good shape:
- Clean your gutters twice a year
- If there are several leafy trees near your house, you may need to clean your gutters more often
- Install gutter guards to keep the debris out
- Repair loose gutter spikes
- Ensure that your downspouts are clear of blockages
- Use a specialized gutter cleaning product such as gutter butter, a biodegradable cleaner that removes oxidation stains, or gutter zap, an industrial-strength gutter cleaner
How to keep gutters clean for longer
One way to keep gutters clean for a longer period of time is to install gutter guards. Hiring a professional gutter cleaning service can help get your gutters clear of any blockages that can cause continual build-up and provide you an assessment if gutter guards are worth it for you.
Regular maintenance of your gutters and downspouts should be part of your seasonal home cleanup. According to The National Flood Insurance Program, homeowners should clean and maintain gutters, downspouts, and splash pads routinely in order to redirect rainwater away from the foundation of their houses.
Additionally, FEMA predicts that well-maintained gutters and downspouts can actually double or triple the life of a roof drainage system, and they can help prevent water from getting inside your home. So, remember to add gutter maintenance to your spring and fall home maintenance checklist to preserve your home both outside and in.
