Throughout the country, fall is considered the perfect time of year to clean roof gutters before cold weather sets in. While most home and business owners think of gutter cleaning as a tedious task, it serves a valuable purpose in roof maintenance.
Gutters should be cleaned two times a year – once in the fall and once in the spring.
Importance of Cleaning Out Gutters
The primary purpose of cleaning out a roof gutter is to allow rainwater to run off efficiently to prevent the possibility of water damage. A free-flowing gutter will also reduce the risk of rust corrosion in gutter materials. The longer you can keep your gutters free from rust, the less often you will need to replace them.
- In order to function properly, both downspouts and gutters must be completely free from debris and leaves.
- Once matter begins to accumulate in gutters, it will create an all-too-common clog to cause rainwater to fill a gutter and overflow.
- Water that pools in gutter troughs and on roofing materials will eventually cause rotting and visible damage.
In order to clean gutters in a residential or commercial property, you’ll need a sturdy ladder, a high-pressure hose, non-slip shoes, work gloves, safety goggles, a trowel, and a bucket to collect debris.
You can clean gutters resourcefully with the following steps.
How to Properly Clean Gutters:
Step 1 – Inspect.
Look for any holes, corrosion, leaky joints, and loose, missing or bent gutters.
Step 2 – Remove loose debris.
Clean gutters and roof with a bucket to clear area of all loose debris. Check and unclog all downspouts by removing elbows and inspecting all parts.
Step 3 – Repair small holes.
Repair any damages found while inspecting your gutter system, such as repairing small holes and cracks with a gutter O.S.I. liquid weld sealer.
Step 4 – Replace damaged elbows and cross sections.
Replace all unusable elbows and cross sections of leaders with new heavy gauge parts.
Step 5 – Add extra hidden hangers.
Add more support to the entire gutter system by adding additional hangers. This will ensure gutters and leaders are anchored to the building.
Step 6 – Installing extra parts.
We install extra gutter parts where needed – including end caps, outlets and straps.
Step 7 – Remove all debris from roof areas and grounds.
Handheld blowers are used to remove all dry debris from gutters, roof, walkways, decks, patios and driveways.
Step 8 – Add leader extensions.
Install leader extensions (where applicable) to ensure water moves away from the foundation areas.
Hiring a Professional
A professional roofing company can make gutter cleaning and maintenance easy and hassle-free with pre-scheduled appointments. As one of the top gutter contractors in the tri-state area, we help improve the longevity of roofing systems for up to 20 additional years. Learn more about hiring a professional for gutter cleaning services.
