How Often Should I Clean My Gutters? Once? Twice?
We recommend cleaning your gutters twice a year. It’s not fun. It’s a quick way to make a big mess. It can be very dangerous. Cleaning out those rain gutters – it’s just a big pain and be worrisome for our loved ones, however, leaving the unpleasant task of gutter cleaning will only cause larger problems later on, to name a few, damaged trim, facia, roofs, siding, and in some cases even windows.
The biggest concern is that damaged gutters can’t do their job properly and get the water away from your foundation. With regular cleaning, you’ll help to protect your home from damage especially during the sometimes harsh Boise winter season.
GUTTERS NEAR ME
Offers reasonably priced and professional gutter cleaning services, and to prevent the build-up of debris, we offer two different types of leaf covers. We not only clean but will thoroughly inspect your gutters, as we clean, to make sure the complete system is draining water effectively and efficiently. We will also inform you of repair cracks, leaks, or failures and provide you with the option of repairing them, and the cost involved in doing so, right away!
However, DIY is not the worst option either, as long as you can do it safely. Here are some tips that will help make gutter cleaning a bit easier for you and give you some peace of mind that one of your most valuable assets is protected.
NOTE: Taking proper safety measures when climbing on the roof or ladders to clean your gutters is of the utmost importance. (We are comfortable and confident on ladders. Not everyone is. Call us for a free estimate at 208-999-7528)
Tips For Inspecting Your Rain Gutters.
When inspecting a roof and its rain gutters, it’s best to avoid leaning ladders against any part of the gutter unless absolutely necessary. Rain gutters are most often made from thin gauge metal or plastic and significant damage from even the light pressure of a ladder is easier than you might think. An A-frame ladder is the best choice for homeowners who need to inspect their own roofs or gutters.
A 6 or an 8-foot ladder is usually a good ladder to inspect most single-story homes. For two-story homes, you may want to have an extension ladder with a roof stabilizer.
Tips for DYI – Clean My Gutters
For those who are doing it by hand – use thick plastic gloves, (those heavy-duty dishwashing gloves work great), they are going to be your friend in terms of cleanliness and protecting your hands from sharp edges. Remove all leaves, twigs, and piles of dirt that have collected in the gutter.
A putty knife is a helpful tool that can be used to remove stubborn patches of decomposed leaves, dirt, or other debris that have coagulated in specific areas. Don’t stab using these kinds of tools they can puncture a gutter more easily than you might imagine.
You could rinse your gutters with a garden hose to remove small pieces of debris and thoroughly finish the job. Some might prefer this route. It is a personal preference. You just don’t want anything blocking or obstructing the flow of water.
Should You Be Using A Pressure Washer?
They can be highly effective when used with great care. If a pressure washer is used without the proper understanding of the machine itself damage to the trim, soffit, facia, windows, or roofing can be the end result. All of these things can be expensive mistakes.
Are you considering this? Make sure to use great care and consider a one with a much lower PSI (Meaning pounds per square inch. Lower pressure power)
Don’t Forget about the Down Spouts!
The Downspouts are half the system. Making sure that there are no obstructions in them is highly important. If they have been blocked up with debris the water has nowhere to go but up, which can lead to damaging soffit, facia, or roofing. Don’t forget about the downspouts!
A regular garden hose should be enough to dislodge any debris. If you end up using a pressure washer in these areas be extremely careful. The downspouts could be damaged with too high of pressure.
Also, something to keep in mind, if you have french drains, it is always best to disconnect the bottom of your downspout to avoid clogging your drainage system.
One Last Thing. Damages or Leaks.
Some of the most often seen points for leaks are end caps and corners. Things to look for in those areas are cracks in the sealant. This happens over time and the newer the gutter the less likely you will see cracks in these areas because the products used now have improved over the years. But sometimes even newer gutters will form an air bubble that pops after installation, leaving a place where water can escape.
You might see leaks or cracks anywhere throughout the length of the gutter for one reason or another. If you happen to notice any standing water, this could indicate improper sloping. These are all things to look for. Getting a free estimate, from us, or your local gutter company would serve you best in the long run and could help you to avoid further damage and expense.
REQUEST A FREE ESTIMATE IN THE BOISE-TREASURE VALLEY AREA CALL (208) 999-7528
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