Step by step guide to cleaning your gutters — How and why

As summer approaches, cleaning your roof gutters should rise to the top of the to-do list.

Neglect it, and you’re asking for problems that include falling gutters, flooding and a cracked foundation and biggest danger summer brings in Australian, bush fire hazard!

The Risks of Not Cleaning

Rain gutters and downpipes are designed to channel rainwater away from the home and its foundation. If they’re blocked with leaves, dirt and other debris, they can lead to.

· Falling gutters. When gutters are overloaded with debris, water, they can pull away from the house and fall.

· Flooding. Water that’s prevented from flowing properly down the pipe may spill over the sides, drain toward your foundation and increase the risk of foundation cracking.

· Staining. Water that spills over the sides of clogged gutters can discolour exterior of your house.

· Gutters filled with dry leaves can become a fire tinderbox, all it takes is for a live amber to be blown on to your roof and you losing your home in the blink of an eye.

When to Clean

Take action early, before rains start in earnest and professionals get too busy to tackle your project quickly. If you’re doing the task yourself, check the weather forecast, it’s easier to clean gutters if the debris is dry.

Tools for the Task

As with any household chore, a little preparation goes a long way. Gather the tools you’ll need before you begin:

· Sturdy ladder (extension ladder for a highset house)

· Tarp.

· Buckets with S-hooks or handled plastic bag.

· Safety goggles or glasses

· Work gloves (optional latex gloves for layering under work gloves)

· Trowel or handled scoop

· Garden hose with spray nozzle (optional telescoping garden hose attachment with gutter-cleaning nozzle)

· Screwdriver to remove and reattach downpipe if it runs underground

· Optional plumber’s snake for stubborn downpipe clogs

Safety First

Although the task of cleaning rooftop gutters is simple, the chore can quickly turn dangerous if you don’t take the necessary precautions. If you’re unsure about anything, it’s best to hire a professional. Here’s what recommended:

· A sturdy ladder planted firmly on level ground is step one. Use a stepladder whenever possible on solid, level ground and don’t climb above the second-to-last step and for a highset house use an extension ladder.

· When climbing the ladder, avoid carrying tools like trowels or anything sharp inside pockets. In the worst-case scenario — a fall — you don’t want to land on the wrong end of a screwdriver. Instead, put the tools in a bucket or handled plastic bag, carry it up the ladder and hook it to the top with an S-hook or something similar.

· Wear sturdy shoes.

· Use safety goggles or glasses to protect your eyes from loose dirt and debris. Don’t get caught standing on a high ladder without being able to see.

· Avoid working near power lines that may hang near your rooftop so there’s no possibility of electric shock from coming into contact with live wires. If your roof is near power lines, consider hiring a professional.

How to Clean Gutters

Although there are several variations on the process, break the task into the following steps:

1. Position the ladder near a downpipe and spread a tarp under the section of gutter to be cleaned.

2. Hook a bucket of tools and an empty bucket to the top of the ladder. With gloved hands and a trowel, remove large debris (leaves, twigs, etc.) and dump it into the empty bucket. Work your way towards the opposite end, away from the downpipe.

3. To clean out the remaining dirt and small debris, climb the ladder with a hose equipped with a spray nozzle. Once you’re positioned at the end of the gutter opposite the downpipe, open the nozzle and flush out the gutter. The water and small debris should drain down the pipe at the other end.

4. If the water doesn’t drain easily, check the downpipe strainer, located at the top of the spout, for clogs and rinse off if necessary.

5. If a clogged downpipe is the problem, however, you’ll work from the bottom of the pipe at ground level.

6. Once you’re able to access the pipe, insert the hose, with the spray nozzle set to full pressure, up into the pipe. After the hose is in place, turn on the water. The stream should dislodge the blockage. If it doesn’t, insert a plumber’s snake tool into the pipe (again from the bottom) to dislodge the blockage.

7. Reattach or tighten any pieces that were removed or loosened while working on the downpipe.

8. Using the hose and nozzle attachment again, flush out the gutters a final time, working from the opposite end away from the downpipe.

Cleaning Variations

Although the basic premise of cleaning rain gutters remains the same, there are a couple of variations on the theme:

Instead of dumping the debris into a bucket, use handled plastic bags. Fill them and let them fall to the tarp for gathering up later.

And rather than climb a ladder with a hose to flush out the gutters, consider investing in a telescoping hose attachment designed specifically for gutter cleaning.

This attachment has a hooked nozzle on top that directs the water into the gutter and flushes out the trough while allowing the user to remain on the ground. It’s a great tool for DIY types and ensures maximum safety.

Finally..
Once the work has been done, don’t forget to grab your umbrella on the next rainy day and inspect your gutters and pipes. Gutters are important, you’ve got to maintain them and keep them clean.

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This article via Houzz does not constitute advice; readers should seek independent and personalised counsel from a trusted adviser that specialises in property, a tax accountant and property design specialist.