Gutters are often not the most popular component of the home. It’s easy to see why some homeowners can put too much attention to their landscaped garden, or how others take so much pride in their living room design. But gutters? They’re usually the most neglected parts of the property. You only remember them when the problems start happening, making a huge negative impact on the safety and convenience that your home provides.
If you take time to truly understand what your gutters do, you might pay attention to it even more. And if you calculate how much money you can save by ensuring that it’s kept clean and well-maintained all year long, then you might give it a little bit more TLC than, say, your prized patio or your showroom kitchen.
Gutters are the reason why your foundation and basement are protected from snow, rain and stormwater. Your guttering directs water and snow away from the structure and leads it to the ground to fall. Without a properly performing gutter, the water that will directly hit your home can cause costly damage. It can cause cracks in the foundation and create moist surfaces that are so attractive to mould and bacteria growth. Rotting ceilings, walls and floors and the presence of pests and rodents in the roof are just some of the problems you might be facing if you continue to neglect your gutters.
To make sure your gutters are functioning properly, it pays to invest in their proper cleaning and maintenance. When your gutters are filled with too much fallen leaves, debris and grime, they can get clogged up and won’t be able to efficiently drain water away from your home.
However, due to their location, gutter cleaning can be a difficult and hazardous task. Remember these gutter cleaning tips to make the process safer and more systematic:
- Use a reliable, high-quality ladder. If such is unavailable, don’t attempt to go up the roof. Invest in the right ladder or, better yet, call a handyman to do the job for you.
- Wear protective gear. Wear shoes with rubber soles to prevent slipping. Use thick working gloves – never pick up gutter debris with your bare hands as it may contain animal droppings and other wastes with bacteria. Protect your eyes as well with a pair of safety goggles.
- Prepare to make some repairs. When you see some damage while cleaning, make repairs immediately instead of waiting for the problem to get worse. This means that you should have repair tools and replacement parts on hand. Tighten up loose sections, replace missing gutter parts and apply pressurised spray to the spout if it’s clogged.
- Apply preventive measures. Once your gutters have been cleaned thoroughly, keep them in great condition for a longer time by installing gutter guards. These are barriers or leaf and debris-blocking guards that you can put as a cover to keep debris out of the waterways.
- Think about hiring experts. Gutter cleaning can be hazardous, since you’ll be working from a high point of the property and might be encountering power lines and electric wires. If you’re not confident about your skills, it’s best to invest in the help of roof cleaning specialists who can do a fast, efficient and thorough cleaning of your gutters.