The roof's gutters are an essential part of the roofing system, especially in climates that experience ample rainfall. Along with the downspouts and extensions, the gutter system ensures the proper water flow off the roof and away from the home's foundation.
Gutters that are clogged with leaves and debris can cause lots of problems. By keeping them clear, you’re helping to protect your windows, doors, sides of the house, and the foundations from water damage. If you happen to have a basement, you’ll also be helping prevent flooding down there too.
There are different gutter cleaning ideas that can be done alone by yourself or may need the help of professionals. Know more information about why it is essential to clean the gutters before winter and learn the most straightforward way in how to clean it.
Reasons for Cleaning the Gutters Before Winter
The gutters around the perimeter of your roofline serve as a catchall for the drain off of the rain and melting ice that flows from your roof. The series of gutters create a flow of water to a leader pipe, which in ideal cases, drains down the side of your house to an area away from your foundation or into a dry well.
When there is too much debris in the gutter, it traps water causing the gutter to rust, overflow, or breakaway. During autumn, leaves collect and dam water into place. Once winter hits, that standing water will freeze, leading to additional build-up and more freezing, starting a cycle that spirals into an inefficient, costly mess.
An ice dam may form along the edge of a roof and prevent melting snow from draining off it. Water and snow are heavy, and excess build-up places an extra strain on your gutters, which causes them to sag or fall out of proper alignment.
Additionally, small animals such as squirrels and birds might decide to nest among the debris and leave their droppings in the gutter. The presence of organic matter and water leads to the formation of mold, which contributes to the further clogging of the gutter as well.
How to Clean the Gutters
- Make sure you have a right, sturdy, extendable ladder. Always place the ladder on a sturdy surface (beware of landscaping rocks below, which can shift). You can use a ladder stabilizer for safety and help prevent damage to the gutters. Also, it’s best to have a helper if you drop something or need a hand with the ladder.
- Dress for the job. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, work pants, and rubber gloves. Cleaning gutters is a dirty job.
- To remove the gunk from the gutters, use a small plastic scoop. Gutter scoops are available at the hardware store, or a child’s sandbox shovel also works just fine. If you have an old plastic kitchen spatula, that works too, and it won’t damage the gutters. Better yet, get a gutter cleaning robot to do the job for you!
- Spread a tarp underneath your workspace to collect all the gutter gunk and protect your lawn and landscaping.
- Once you’ve removed the gutters’ debris, use a garden hose to flush the gutters and downspouts and clear out any remaining debris. This will also show you if you have any leaks.
- Once the gutters are clear, repair any sagging metal. You can do this by mounting a gutter hanger. Many gutter repairs are DIY jobs.
Conclusion
Water that pools on concrete and doesn’t drain well can also cause mold and mildew growth during warmer months, creating a slippery hazard for a homeowner. Improperly routed runoff water can wash away landscaping, cause soil erosion, or, worse, kill your lawn and bushes due to overwatering.
Cleaning your gutters before the season change will help prolong its lifespan and help minimize damage. Check your gutter's condition from time to time because it is more costly and inconvenient when damaged.
