The Cleaning Process

To protect your property from damage caused by dirty gutters, you should clean your guttering twice a year: once in spring and once in fall.

The number of times you need to clean your gutters each year will vary depending on where you live. For example, if you have a high number of overhanging branches, or are surrounded by pine trees, you might want to consider cleaning your gutters every three months, due to the higher volume of debris falling into your guttering system.

Signs that your gutters need to be cleaned include:

Pools of water collecting near your house, especially around the foundations

Dripping gutters in dry weather

Sagging gutters

Regularly cleaning your gutters will not only protect your house but help your guttering last longer. A well-maintained guttering system can stay intact and in working order for over twenty years.

Prepare: Before you start, get together all the equipment you’ll need, and make sure you are wearing suitable clothing that will protect you from injury. Think about what type of ladder you’ll need and what the risks are, so you can keep yourself safe. In addition to a ladder, other equipment you’ll need includes:

Thick protective gloves

A trowel

A stiff-bristled brush

A flashlight

Cleaning the downspouts: Clean downspouts first so water can drain freely when you move onto your gutters. Remove twigs, leaves, and other large debris from the base of downspouts. Feed water down them using your hose to try and loosen and remove any clogging. If this does not work, you may need to use a plumber’s snake to shift blockages.

Cleaning the gutters: Start by clearing out all the larger debris that has accumulated in your gutters. Use a powerful garden hose to flush out most of the silt and manually remove what is left, wearing thick gloves.