Gutters aren’t glamorous, but they’re an essential component for protecting your home from water damage. Because gutters typically do their job unnoticed, they can be easy to forget – which is a big mistake when you don’t clean them on a regular basis. Since this is a fundamental part of home maintenance, the more you know about how your gutter system works, the importance of keeping it clean and how to do so will allow you to better keep your home in top condition.
The basic function of gutters is pretty straightforward – they tunnel rainwater off your roof through downspouts and away from your home. In her article for Angi, home writer Stacy Sare Cohen breaks down a gutter system’s components:
- Gutter: Attaches to the edge of the eaves on your roof.
- End cap: Closes gutters.
- Fascia bracket: Connects to the eaves and provides structural support.
- Downspout: Allows rainwater to travel from the roof to the ground.
- Elbow: Snaps onto the downspout and redirects the water away from your home.
Why is Gutter Cleaning Important?
A clean gutter system protects your home’s roof, walls, foundation and landscape. As seasoned Central Floridians know, summer afternoon thunderstorms and prolonged heavy downpours from hurricane/tropical storm rain bands dump excessive amounts of rainwater on roofs. If debris – such as leaves, twigs, etc. – builds up in gutters, it could lead to sagging gutters, mold growth, a leaky roof or water damage to the interior or exterior of your home. Stagnant water pooling around and under your home eventually undermines its foundation. Gutters filled with debris can also make homes for rodents and other pests. As you can see, neglecting gutter maintenance tends to lead to extensive and expensive repairs down the line.
As Cohen explains in greater detail, rainwater stuck in gutters can destroy your home’s exterior – especially when the weight of the debris makes a gap in your gutter system. Areas affected include:
- Soffits protecting your roof and keeping moisture out of the attic space.
- Fascias ventilating the roof.
When these areas become waterlogged, they stop working. Mold, mildew and algae grow on the exterior wall – and paint begins to peel and chip.
As The Home Depot points out, gutters need to be cleaned at least twice a year – in the spring and in the fall. If you have pine trees near your home, needles will need to be removed every three months to reduce the potential for clogging the gutters and downspouts.
Step-by-Step Gutter Cleaning Instructions
If you’re considering doing this yourself, The Home Depot also generously provides the following step-by-step instructions:
Don’t clean gutters after a rain – Allowing a few dry days before cleaning your gutters will allow the debris to dry out, making the chore much easier. Start your gutter cleaning task near the downspout and work toward the closed end.
Practice ladder safety – Follow these precautions:
- Never climb above the second to last step/rung.
- Do not extend your reach.
- Use a step ladder on solid level ground whenever possible.
- For two-story homes, use an extension ladder.
- Use a ladder stabilizer to help keep your ladder in place, if using an extension ladder.
- If you are not comfortable on ladders, consider hiring a professional.
Clean debris from the gutters – Have two buckets available. Use one bucket for the debris you remove; the second to hold your tools. Hook the buckets to your ladder for easy access.
- Wear safety glasses to keep bits of dried leaves and other debris out of your eyes.
- Wear rubber gloves under your work gloves if the debris is damp. This will help keep your hands dry while protecting them.
- Begin cleaning near a downspout. Place your ladder squarely on a level ground before you climb it.
- Remove and clean the downspout strainer.
- Clear large debris such as leaves and twigs by hand.
- Use a trowel or gutter scoop for compacted debris.
Flush the gutters – After the large pieces of debris are removed, flush the remaining bits and dirt from the gutter with a garden hose.
- Fit your garden house with a spray nozzle.
- Flush out the gutter with water, starting at the far end and moving toward the downspout.
- Use a strong stream of water and avoid spraying underneath the roof shingles.
Check the downspouts – Turn the hose on and spray down the spout. If the amount of water coming out is less than what is going in, there is a blockage.
- Feed the hose up the downspout from the ground.
- Turn the hose on at full pressure to try to dislodge the clog.
- If this doesn’t dislodge the clog, use a plumber’s snake.
Check for gutter drainage and slope – When the downspout is clog-free, flush the gutters again. Check for proper water flow and drainage. Also look for any leaks at the seams.
- If there is any standing water in the gutter, the gutter is not properly sloped. Gutters should slope 1/4-inch for every 10-feet toward the downspout. If your gutters do not slope properly, detach the hangers to adjust the gutters to the proper slope.
- Make sure all the gutters are secure and firmly attached to the house.
- Inspect each gutter section and the downspout for damage.
- Add support hangers or reattach gutters to the fascia if needed.
Finish the gutter cleaning – Seal any leaking seams and joints with gutter sealant, following label instructions. Remove any mildew and dirt. Touch up with paint, if needed. Consider adding gutter screens to reduce the amount of work needed for future gutter cleaning.
Common Gutter Cleaning Mistakes
As you can probably see from the gutter cleaning instructions just listed, there are plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong. Better Homes & Gardens lists some of the most common:
You don’t clean your gutters often enough – At least twice a year is the typical recommendation, but more frequent cleanings could be necessary depending on your landscape. If your house is surrounded by trees, you’ll need to tend to your gutters more frequently, since they’re exposed to more debris and leaves. Pay attention to the condition of your gutters throughout the year.
You clean your gutters at the wrong time – In Central Florida, be sure the spring cleaning is done before the start of hurricane season, June 1. Our blog post – “Hurricane Season is Here! Make Sure Your Property is Ready!” – provides a comprehensive guide to preparing your property for this time of year – including gutter cleaning!
You don’t wear proper protective gear – Wear heavy-duty work gloves to keep your hands clean and protect yourself from any sharp objects that could be hidden in the debris. Additionally, rubber-soled shoes with good traction can help ward off slips on the ladder. Never wear flip-flops on a ladder! And don’t forget protective eyewear.
You don’t follow proper ladder safety precautions – A fall from a ladder can cause serious injury – or worse! Inspect the ladder carefully before use, and ensure the base has secure, even footing before climbing. If possible, have a family member or friend hold the bottom of the ladder for stability. While you’re up on the ladder, keep your hips between the side rails to maintain your balance and avoid overreaching. Instead, move the ladder to a new spot instead of reaching farther down your gutters.
Should You DIY or Hire a Professional?
This is a question only you can answer. We at The Paint Manager always emphasize safety first – and above all! Taking the DIY approach to save money is false economy if you lack the experience, knowledge, physical strength/agility, proper equipment/protective gear, etc., in order to do the job safely.
Also, don’t let pride get in the way. The more years that pass, you may find that tasks you could once accomplish easily are now more challenging. It is much better to stay healthy and independent than risk serious injury that could permanently limit your mobility.
Should you decide that doing it yourself is more demanding than you thought, leave it to our pros at The Paint Manager! We have the experience, skill, equipment and supplies to make sure the job is done correctly and safely!
The Paint Manager has been proudly serving Central Florida homeowners for over 20 years with experienced, dedicated and professional services that include exterior and interior house painting, roof repair and cleaning, drywall repair, popcorn ceiling texture removal, cabinet refinishing and so much more!
Plus, become a member of The Paint Manager to receive a 15% year-‘round member’s discount. Contact us to learn more about our services and membership discount offer. We look forward to meeting you!