Gutters are essential to protecting your roof and home from water damage. However, many homeowners don’t know how to check or maintain their gutters in between professional cleanings. It’s important to properly care for your gutters, as they must be cleared of leaves and debris throughout the year. Your gutter maintenance routine could vary greatly depending on the location, climate, and type of trees near the house.
Clogs can build up quickly in gutters due to leaves, pine needles, and other debris accumulating over time.
In addition, clogged gutters can also create pools of standing water which can attract insects such as mosquitoes and midges. The first step in cleaning your gutters is to remove any debris lodged in them. This process should be done several times a year, depending on the amount of foliage surrounding your home.
A pair of work gloves will help make this job quicker and easier.
Ideally, you should clean out your gutters at least twice a year—in late spring or early summer when most trees have shed their blooms and again when fall starts, leaves begin to fall off the trees again.
If you live closer to a coastal area or experience heavier rainfalls than most areas during certain months, consider adding additional cleanings to accommodate this extra moisture accumulation.
When it comes to cleaning tools for gutters, there are several effective options: hand tools such as scoops or trowels; long-handled brushes; gutter claws; garden hoses; extension ladders; power washers; leaf blowers; power vacuums; robotic gutter cleaners, or even wet vacs with special attachments designed specifically for cleaning out gutters.
With so many options available, you must find the right tool(s) that best suits your budget and needs before launching any project involving cleaning your home’s gutters.
If you feel uncomfortable doing repairs yourself or simply don’t have time for regular maintenance, consider hiring professionals who specialize in gutter cleaning services instead.
Anderson Insulation is experienced with working in all sorts of scenarios, making them ideal candidates for keeping your gutters clear all year long for optimal draining efficiency. Contact us today!