You know how unpredictable the weather can be in the lower mainland. Now fall is here, it’s important to prepare for the active wind and rain storms of winter before they arrive. Maintaining your gutters regularly is a cost-effective way to protect your home’s exterior, from roof to foundation.
Clean the Roof
Before cleaning the gutters, clean the roof first. While accumulated debris from the roof can be blown away by the wind, twigs, leaves, and seed pods might just as easily end up in the gutter system. Clear off the roof from a ladder – use a broom or roof rake with a pole handle. Avoid standing directly on the roof if possible.
When and How Often
Whether you DIY or hire a gutter cleaning service, schedule time for regular cleanings. To determine when and how often you should clean the gutters, take into account where you live, how many trees are on your property, the type of trees, and the annual rain for your region. Gutter professionals advise to clean the gutters after the leaves have fallen in autumn, and in the spring once trees have blossomed. However, if you have a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees growing near the roof or you live next to a highway, you might need to clean the gutters three or four times a year.
Use the Right Tools
There are many tools you can use for gutter cleaning. From hand-held tools designed to maintain gutters manually to more complex gadgets intended to make cleaning the gutters less labour-intensive. Basic gutter cleaning tools are:
- Ladder
- Protective gear – work gloves, safety goggles, non-slip shoes
- Gutter scoop
- Gutter rake
- Soft-bristle brush
- Pail – easier to manage debris on a ladder than with garbage bags
- Garden hose with a pistol-grip spray nozzle
When using a leaf blower, shop vac, robot, or extensions to clean the gutters from the ground, make sure the equipment is in good condition; is attached properly; and machines that use water, particularly when cleaning aluminum gutters, are on a low setting to prevent denting.
Clean the Gutters
The process of cleaning your gutters can be broken down into three simple steps.
Step #1: Clean the gutter channel of all debris. Use a gutter scoop and pail. For hard-to-reach places, a gutter rake can help.
Step #2: Once the large clumps of debris have been removed, use soapy water and a soft-bristle brush to scrub away stubborn stains inside and outside of the gutter channel. Wash away grime and soap residue with the garden hose.
Step #3: To test if the gutter system has been totally cleared of all clogs, before turning the water on, remove the nozzle from the hose and insert it into the gutter outlet. Turn the water back on. Stand in front of the downspout and check to see that the water flows freely out of the pipe – if you have more than one, repeat the process of each downpipe.
Inspect the Gutters
In between scheduled gutter cleanings, inspect the gutters after a medium to severe storm. Especially if you have aluminum gutters, look for dents that can impede water flow; missing or sagging gutter sections; and debris collecting around the gutter outlet or blocking downspouts.
When checking up on the gutters, also assess the condition of your gutter system.
A quick inspection might save you from a major repair that could have been avoided if discovered sooner rather than later.
Safety First
When inspecting the gutters or cleaning them, you’ll most likely be using a ladder. Ensure the ladder is in good working order; set up on an even or stable surface; and is the right height for the task. Practice general ladder safety – no overreaching, be aware of obstacles and power lines when moving the ladder, have someone to assist you, and always maintain three-point contact (two feet and one hand or one foot and two hands) when climbing the ladder.
