If you haven’t had a chance to clean the gutters this year, now is the time to inspect the roof and prepare your home exterior for winter. While there are several “time saving” inventive tools, gutter professionals advise the most efficient way to gutter clean is manually. When cleaning the gutters this fall, be safe, work smart, and prioritize repairs.
Clean and inspect the roof.
Start with the roof – if shingles are loose or broken and twigs and leaves are hanging around, if not blown away, they will end up in the gutter system, or block the downspouts. Pay special attention to roof valleys, flashings, and around roof protrusions (chimneys, sunroofs).
Remove debris with a soft-bristle brush or long-handled broom. Use an earth-friendly cleaning solution to get rid of stains on shingles.
Inspect the roof for loose, missing, or damaged shingles. Check to see if the soffit and fascia are in good shape – no peeling paint, signs of wood rot, or missing/damaged panels.
Always be safe and use safety protocols.
The most common home maintenance accident is falling from a ladder. When cleaning the gutters this fall, be safe.
- Ladder is in good working order – don’t use it if it’s too short, has missing hardware, is damaged
- Set up the ladder on a level surface – use a stabilizer if necessary
- Use a spotter
- Use the three-point contact rule
- When on the ladder, don’t overreach
- Make the ladder gutter cleaning ready – attach a bucket, trash bags, small tools, garden hose – to minimize trips up and down the rungs
- Wear proper safety gear – goggles, work gloves, non-skid soled shoes/boots
- Avoid walking on the roof
Work smart when cleaning the gutters.
Before you start cleaning the gutters, gather all of the tools, equipment, and supplies you will need. If items are missing, purchase them before gutter cleaning.
Check all the equipment, not just the ladder, you will be using. If using power tools such as an electric pressure washer or shop vac, ensure there is a power outlet nearby and the cord is not worn or frayed.
After cleaning a section of gutter, move the ladder – overreaching might throw you off balance.
Invest in a pistol-grip nozzle for your garden hose. It will allow you to control the direction of the stream and save water.
Deposit debris directly into a bucket or trash bag – if dumped on the ground, you’ll spend time cleaning it up.
Clean and check the downspouts.
Clean the downspouts by inserting the garden hose into the gutter outlet and letting water exit the gutter system. If it flows freely, there are no clogs; if it dribbles, there are blockages.
The easiest way to check the downpipes for clogs is to look down the gutter outlet (at the top) and into the bottom of downspout at the gutter elbow. If a blockage is not visible, then it will be somewhere in the middle of the pipe. Remove the clog with a plumber’s snake or a drain auger.
Check that the hardware holding the brackets in place are not lose or missing. Downspouts should be positioned flush against exterior walls – no shifting.
If you are using a downspout extender or a splash block, make sure it is still attached correctly, and not damaged.
Inspect the gutters for any damage.
After thoroughly cleaning the gutters inside and out, take the time to inspect the gutters for any damage. Look for leaks, worn seams, missing hardware, and missing or sagging gutter sections.
Make repairs as soon as possible to safeguard your gutter system and help it get through winter. Get into the habit of regular inspections; check up on the gutters after storms.
