Owning a house comes with a lot of responsibilities and a variety of chores. Some of those chores are more of a hassle than others. For example, cleaning your gutters. 

It might be an arduous task, but it is a necessary one. Gutter cleaning is a chore that is very important to maintain your home and roof. Clogged gutters can cause damage to the roof and to the house itself. 

Clogs occur when leaves, twigs and other plant matter sit in the gutters and downspouts for too long. This debris can stop water from draining properly, which then leads to roof rot. In addition, pests like mosquitos are often attracted by standing water.

In order to maintain your house and keep it ready for a home inspection, you should clean your gutters at least once a year. If you have a lot of trees, you might need to do so twice a year. 

Step-By-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Gutters

1.     Timing

Wait until after most of the leaves have fallen from nearby trees in the fall. In case it rains, try to wait a few days before cleaning your gutters in order to let the leaves dry. Your job will be easier and less dirty that way.

2.     Appropriate Clothes

Cleaning gutters is a messy job. Wear long sleeve shirts and pants to protect your skin, especially in spring and summer to avoid irritation from pests. You should also wear work gloves with latex gloves underneath to keep your hands dry.

3.     Helpful Tools

Collect all necessary tools before you climb the ladder so you do not have to go up and down unnecessarily. Use a ladder that is long enough and lets you reach the highest gutter. Always be very careful using a ladder. That includes never reaching more than two feet to the sides and making sure the ladder is stable and does not tip. Besides the ladder you need to have at least one bucket and a hand shovel or scoop with you. Additionally, you should have a long hose handy with which you can reach the gutters.

4.     Clean the Gutters

You can use your hands or a tool to scoop out large sticks and piles of leaves. Then use the hose to flush the gutters. It works best if you have a high-pressure hose attachment to flush away smaller leaves and dirt. Do not forget to look at the downspouts to make sure they are not clogged. Flush them as well and check for potential problems.

5.     Make Sure There Are No Leaks

Check the gutters and hangers to ensure they do not sag. You can spray the gutters down again to check for leaks. Make sure the water drains properly with no standing water. 

Keep Your Home at Its Best with Clean Gutters

Once this is accomplished, you are done for at least the next half a year, hopefully for a whole year. Your roof will be much better maintained and ready for a home inspection at any time. Call us today to schedule your home inspection with Kenco!