Now that we’re into the holiday season, plan to give your gutters special gifts this year that they will appreciate. Have some fun. Add accessories to your gutter system that improve the appearance of your home’s exterior, helps it to function more efficiently, and boosts curb appeal.
Clean the Roof
Cleaning the roof before you plan on cleaning the gutters ensures that accumulated debris lying around on the shingles won’t end up in the gutter system. Invest in some roof cleaning tools that your gutter system will appreciate.
Leaf blower: When used correctly, a leaf blower is an effective way to clear a roof of debris. Handheld gas, cordless, and corded leaf blowers are the three main types available. To avoid damage to your roofing system, select one that has a low speed, from 110 mph to 120 mph.
Roof Rake: Designed to remove debris and snow from the roof, a roof rake protects the shingles while clearing off accumulated twigs and leaves from the shingles. Purchase one that is appropriate to your needs – if you don’t get much snow in your area, select a roof rake that removes just debris. Pair it with a roof brush to clean up anything the roof rake might not pick up. Use both of them with extension or telescoping poles to avoid walking on the roof.
Brushes: Invest in some brush heads of different sizes. Wide bristle brushes are good for sweeping large areas. You will also need smaller brushes for cleaning different parts of the roof like around chimneys, the first row of shingles nearest the gutters, and scrubbing stubborn stains such as patches of discoloration or moss. Most types of brushes for cleaning a roof can be used with extension poles if you want to clean the roof from the ground
Clean the Gutters
Dirty and damaged gutters can make your home look uncared for. As part of the roofing system, the gutters are an eye-catching feature of your home’s exterior. Here some suggestions for holiday gifts your gutter system will really use in the New Year.
Gutter cleaning hand tools: Hand tools like a gutter scoop, gutter rake, or debris-grabbing tool are handy devices designed to make removing debris from the gutters easier and more efficient. If you have aluminum gutters or copper gutters, select plastic over metal to protect the gutter system from scratches.
Ladder stabilizer: Aluminum gutters can dent easily. If you don’t already have one, purchase a ladder stabilizer, also known as a ladder standoff. It attaches to the top of the ladder and rests against the wall or on the roof rather than in direct contact with the gutters.
Gutter robot: If you want to clean the gutters without getting your hands dirty, treat yourself and your gutters to a gutter cleaning robot. You will have to climb a ladder, but only to place the remote device inside the gutter channel.
Wet/dry vac: A wet/dry vacuum with an extension attachment will be able to suck out both wet and dry debris without you having to climb too high.
Don’t Forget the Downspouts
Holiday gifts for your downspouts can be used in many creative ways that are functional and boost curb appeal, especially if you have incorporated downspout drainage into your landscaping.
Rain Chains: Rain chains combine aesthetics with functionality. They are made of a series of links or cups designed to guide water from the roof down the chain and into the ground. It should be secured and able to drain into a basin, rock garden, or rain garden. Rain chains are appealing for several reasons including the musical sound of water, no danger of clogging, and increased curb appeal.
Splash Blocks: If the downspouts deposit runoff too close to the house a splash block might be the perfect holiday gift for your gutters. Splash blocks protect the ground around the downpipes from soil erosion and basement flooding.
Downspout Extenders: Downspout extenders, a.k.a. downspout extensions, allow runoff to be deposited further away from the foundation. This gift is ideal for downpipes that are short and oversaturate landscaping too close to the foundation.
