.png)
Key Takeaways:
Tell someone when and where you are cleaning your gutters
Use a sturdy ladder with a small shelf
Clean your roof first
Unclog downspouts
Wear rubber-sole shoes
Use gloves and eye protection
Be cautious of power lines
Do not clean in hazardous weather conditions
Are you planning on cleaning your gutters this year? When it comes to gutter cleaning, you want to be as safe as possible, as this can be a dangerous task. The key to gutter cleaning safety is keeping up with proper safety measures and having the right equipment.
The weather in Colorado Springs changes quickly from hail to high winds, which means your gutters need to be thoroughly cleaned. However, cleaning your gutters by yourself is a challenging task. If you want help from the experts, contact Costa Seamless Gutter Service, Inc. if you don't want to risk cleaning your gutters yourself. We will take care of you!
What is Gutter Cleaning
Simply put, gutter cleaning is removing dirt, debris, or other blockages. Thorough cleaning will include cleaning the gutter attached to the eave of your roof, end cap, and the downspout, then finishing the job by potentially installing an EZ-Lock screen to your system.
Why You Need to Clean Your Gutters
Rain gutters have the critical job of keeping your home safe and damage-free. However, rain gutters often become clogged with leaves, tree debris, dirt, and twigs, preventing the channels from working effectively.
When your gutters are in working condition, they help elongate your roof's life. Gutters take the rainwater and snow melt and channel it away from your home’s roof and foundation. If your gutters are clogged or damaged, rainwater can seep into your roof, causing rot, weakened roof construction, and water may end up in your home.
Your home’s foundation can also suffer if you do not clean your gutters. When clogged gutters overflow or sag, this can leave space for water to sit at the base of your home. Your home’s foundation can shift, leading to strain and cracking.
In Colorado especially, erosion is a huge issue that amplifies if your gutters do not drain properly. Excess water coming straight off your roof or pooling can cause erosion to your landscape.
In the winter, snow melting and re-freezing on your roof and gutters can cause significant issues to your home. Gutter freezing can damage your roof, downspouts, foundation, and even leaks in your basement. If you are seeing your gutters freeze, do not hesitate to clean them, as a blockage is most likely your issue.
How Often Should I Clean My Gutters
Your location and landscape around your house determine how often your rain gutters require cleaning. If you have fewer trees near your home, once a year should be an adequate amount to clean your gutters. The best recommendation is to look at your channels at least twice a year, determine if there is any sagging in the gutters, and check your downspout after it rains to ensure good water flow.
How to Clean Your Gutters
Now it’s time to gather the supplies and complete a safe gutter cleaning. The first step you need to take is ensuring that you or whoever is cleaning your gutters has good balance and the physical capability to do the labor of gutter cleaning.
Another essential safety step is to tell someone when and where you are cleaning your gutters. If you fall, you want to ensure someone knows where you are. Check for power lines around your home and ensure that you will not hit them during the gutter cleanout.
Gather your supplies:
Sturdy ladder
Buckets
Trowel or gutter scoop
Work gloves
Safety glasses
Garden hose with spray nozzle
Rubber-soled shoes
Cleaning Steps:
Clean your roof first
If you do not sweep off or spray off your roof before cleaning your gutters, all the debris on your roof will end up causing problems later.
Clear debris from your gutters
With your bucket and trowel or gutter scoop, carefully remove the large debris from your gutters. Place the waste in your bucket and repeat until complete.
Flush the gutters
Take your hose and spray nozzle, and flush or rinse the gutters by pushing all remaining dirt and debris to the downspout.
Check the downspout
Once you flush the gutters, take your hose, remove the spray nozzle and push it into the downspout. You have a blockage if less water comes out than going in. If so, push your hose from the bottom of the downspout until you dislodge the jam. Your hose must be on the highest power for this portion.
Safely Clean Your Gutters With Costa Seamless Gutter Service
Cleaning your rain gutters is a routine part of home ownership and should be completed one to two times yearly. While this is a relatively simple DIY project, contact Costa Seamless Gutter Service, Inc. if you have doubts or notice damage to your gutter system. We would be happy to talk to you about your options, and we will even provide you with a free, no-obligation quote!