Taking Care of Your Home: Cleaning Rain Gutters

Among the tedious but necessary tasks that come with homeownership is the job of cleaning your rain gutters. Gutters are meant to redirect water flowing off your roof to the downspouts, but this relatively easy job can be complicated by debris like leaves and tree branches. A clogged rain gutter not only causes overflows and possible damage to the house, but will also breed mosquitoes, particularly some of the species that are responsible for the spread of West Nile Virus. The following tips should help you on your journey to cleaner gutters.

Have the right tools to do the job - a tall ladder (so you can see into the gutters), thick gloves (to protect your hands from sharp branches or pine needles), a garbage can or heavy-duty trash bag (for collected debris), a garden hose (to rinse gutters and check downspouts after cleaning), safety glasses (in case something sharp comes out of the gutter toward your face), and a garden trowel (for scooping out debris).

Make sure your ladder is secure - be sure the ladder is on a steady surface (preferably firm, level ground), and make sure it leans on a stable edge of the roof.

If possible, work with a partner - a second person can steady the ladder, get things you may need, or retrieve things that fall.

To clean gutters - remove loose debris, use hose to clean out and leftover debris, and clean out the downspouts.

Clean your gutters at least twice a year - spring and fall are excellent times.

Consider installing screens - if you constantly find you have excessive debris in your gutters, you may want to install small wire mesh or chicken wire over the gutters. This, however, is not an end to cleaning your gutters, as the debris will collect on top of the screens, and some debris will fall through the holes and eventually build up.

More power - some people will use a leaf blower and/or pressure washer to clean their gutters. Be careful if using these, because the strength could cause debris and dirt to splatter on you or the house, or possibly upset your balance.

Downspout clogs - if you have a particularly stubborn clog in your downspout, you may want to try a plumber's snake.

Ref: associatedcontent.com