Three Ways to Clean Gutters

Gutters are important for keeping water away from your house. To function optimally, they need to be clear of dirt and debris. There are several effective ways for cleaning them, some of which don’t even require a ladder.

How to Clean Gutters From the Ground

1.    Gutter Cleaning With a Garden Hose

If they are not thoroughly clogged, you can clean your gutters successfully with hosepipe that has a rigid tube with a curved end. Start at the end nearest the downspout, spray out the entire channel length, and then work your way back to the downspout. Expect some mess to spill over the sides of the gutter consisting of water, leaves, and small twigs, so dress appropriately.

2.    Clearing Gutters With a Wet/Dry Vacuum

A wet/dry vacuum with a curved attachment, from your local hardware store are great to  reach the obstructed gutters from the ground. Once you’ve removed the bulk of the material, flush the gutters and downspout with water from a hosepipe.

How to Clean Gutters on a Ladder

Roof and Gutter Cleaning With a Leaf Blower

Many leaf blowers come with a nozzle attachment designed to release a powerful air stream, great for blasting leaves and twigs out of the gutter. Position the ladder so that you can work from one end of the gutter’s channel to the other, blowing out obstructions as you go. Block the downspout first with a rag or old towel to keep from blowing leaves into it. As a final step, flush out any lingering leaves or twigs with a hose.