Gutters are the unsung heroes of your home, protecting your building materials from rain and other forms of water damage. But they can't do it without regular maintenance either DIY or by hiring a professional gutter cleaning service such as
Gutter Cleaning Washington DC depending on which you're comfortable. To keep your gutters Safe and Functioning for your Home Garden, here are a few tips on how to get the job done properly:
Use a Leaf Blower
There's no reason to let the rains pour over clogged gutters. Instead, a powerful leaf blower can blast away leaves, pine needles, and other debris to clear your gutters quickly. Just make sure to block the downspout with a rag or towel before using the blower.
Clean with a Gutter Bucket
A plastic bucket with a metal handle is an easy way to get gutters clean. Just cut the handle in half at the center and bend each end into hook shapes that you can hook onto the edges of your gutters as you work. Fasten a trash bag around the top of the bucket just under the handle to catch and hold the debris as you scoop out. The bucket method works best when the gutter is soiled with dry debris, like fallen leaves and branches. But it's messy and you'll need to climb up and down your ladder a lot to empty the bucket.
Lay a Tarp Down Below Your Gutters
If you want to save time on this chore, simply lay a plastic tarp down below your gutters and use it as a scoop to collect the debris. Then, you can dump the debris into a garbage bag to take with you on your next trip down the ladder. Alternatively, you can just use your hands to pull the debris out of the gutter. But be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands from leaves and other debris.
Spray Out Debris With a Garden Hose
A garden hose with a high-pressure spray nozzle is a handy tool to use to flush the gutters of any remaining debris. Start near the downspout, and work your way up to the top of the gutter. This can be a messy process and leaves and other debris are likely to fly into the air as you spray, so be sure to dress appropriately. You can even wear goggles to keep the debris from hitting your face or causing you any injury.
Consider Surface-Tension Guards
A surface-tension guard is a curved plastic cap that hooks over the gutter and enables it to direct water to the ground. Its curved design allows leaves, sticks, and other debris to flow over the edge toward the ground, preventing them from getting stuck inside your gutter.
You can also use a small garden shovel to remove leaves and other debris. But be careful not to pull on any sticks or other long pieces, as they could get caught in the vertical channel of the gutter and become a clog. If you don't have a surface-tension guard, install one before beginning your gutter cleaning. It's an inexpensive solution to keeping your gutters free of debris and a good investment for your home and yard.
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