Gutter cleaning is an essential home maintenance task. Gutters collect water and direct it away from your property. If they are clogged, the roofing may become damaged, the basement may leak, mold can develop, and the gutters might break under the weight of the debris. Here are a few things you should know about gutter cleaning for a healthy home.

Clean the Gutters Regularly

Gutter cleaning is a task you should tackle at least twice a year. Spring and fall are the best times so you’ll be prepared for rainy and snowy weather. It’s an easy job to complete over a weekend if you have the right tools. If you don’t feel prepared to tackle the job yourself, hire a company to do the work.

DIY Gutter Cleaning

Scrape Out Debris

On a ladder, use a gloved hand or a scooping tool to remove pine needles, leaves, and twigs from the gutters. Collect the debris in a bucket attached to your ladder or toss it down to a tarp on the ground. After removing debris, spray the gutters out with the garden hose.

Clear the Downspout During Gutter Cleaning

When cleaning, remove leaves and twigs from the gutter, but also clear debris that is stuck in the downspout. If the downspout is clogged, your gutters will back up and overflow.

Remove Debris From the Bottom of the Downspouts

After you’ve cleaned the guttering and cleared the top of the downspouts, remove debris from the bottom of the downspouts. If water cannot flow out, it will back up, cause damage to the spout, and possibly damage the exterior of the house.

Check the Brackets and Braces During Gutter Cleaning

While cleaning, check the brackets and braces that attach the gutter system to the house. Tighten loose brackets to prevent the gutters from sagging and leaking.

Hire a Professional If You Need Help

If you don’t have the tools or aren’t comfortable on a ladder, hire a professional for this project. A professional will have all of the necessary equipment to clean the gutters, fix the brackets, and remove debris safely from gutters at any height.

Prime Home Inspections offers home inspections to Western Washington. Contact us to request our services.