Nobody wants to spend their entire weekend hanging off a ladder or climbing on the roof just to keep the gutters clean. You can’t get these things done within the snap of a finger, though.
Thankfully, there are ways to simplify the way you keep your gutters clean. First, choose and install appropriate gutter protection systems. Second, familiarize yourself with ways to clean the gutters depending on how wet or dry the debris are. This way, maintenance doesn’t have to be so difficult.
Determining the Best Type of Gutter Guards
You might not always have the time to clean the gutters. It’s okay to put off gutter cleaning for a bit longer but you have to make sure that your gutters are sturdy and clog-free. Otherwise, the accumulation of leaves, dirt, and debris on the gutters could greatly damage your house exterior’s structural integrity.
Your gutter protection system should be strong enough to handle the weight of dirt, debris, and other obstructions without buckling. It should also be able to redirect rainwater for minimal water damage.
Pair the gutter system with the right type of gutter guards for maximum gutter protection and minimal cleaning problems. Explore your options before choosing the best guards.
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Foam Guards
Insert pre-cut foam guards into your gutter and it will effortlessly block leaves and twigs from getting into the gutters. Dirt that settles on the foam might disrupt rainwater flow, though.
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Gutter Brushes
This type of gutter guard is like a bottle brush wrapped around mesh wire. It’s easy to install and it has no problem filtering large debris. Small debris might still get into the gutters, though.
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Mesh Covers
The holes on a mesh gutter cover are enough to keep leaves out and keep rainwater flowing freely. Clogging is a possibility, though, and the mesh might not be able to support heavy debris.
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Screen Guards
Screen guards are typically made of vinyl, aluminum, or galvanized steel. They show a clean, rigid look that effectively filters debris. Regular cleaning is required to avoid dirt buildup, though.
Observe your current guards and pinpoint your issues with them. It’s easier to choose which type of guards to upgrade to when you know the problems you want to address.
Deciding on the Right Way to Clean Gutters
Your gutter protection system strengthens the structural integrity of your roof and streamlines your gutter cleaning process. You can make this task even easier when you know which cleaning method is most suitable for your gutters. Damp gutters require a different type of cleaning from dry gutters.
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Cleaning Wet Gutters
You can clean wet gutters with the scoop-and-drop method where you scoop out the debris, drop them onto a plastic tarp, and empty the tarp into a trash bag or the compost bin. Alternatively, you can use the gutter bucket method where you cut the handle of a plastic bucket into half to have a makeshift hook for the bucket, hang it onto the edge of the gutter, and sweep debris into it.
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Cleaning Dry Gutters
Cleaning dry gutters is relatively simple. Like with the gutter bucket method, you make a hook by cutting the plastic bucket handle in half. But you also cut off the bottom of the bucket and fasten a trash bag around the cut-off end. This way, you cleanly sweep dirt and debris into the trash bag.
Given these instructions, it shouldn’t be so difficult to look after your gutters.
