How To Clean Roof Gutters

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Before autumn sets in, you want to clear blocked gutters so you can enjoy the seasonal showers. You definitely don’t want to climb a ladder in a raincoat and get all dirty if your gutter gets clogged, once it starts to rain.

Start cleaning the roof today itself. Here is how to clean roof gutters efficiently:

Begin at the downspout
Commence your cleaning at the downspout. Use a trowel and a large bucket to get rid of all the debris like leaves, twigs and so on.. If you want to clean the downspout to get rid of the finer materials, flush the gutter lengths with a hose starting at the end opposite the downspout. Alternatively, you can use a gutter-cleaning attachment on a hose. If the water doesn’t drain, recheck the downspout strainer and clean as required. 

Use a ladder
Use a ladder to clean the goop out of the gutters. The decomposed leaves can be used as mulch or compost and ensure you clean the downspout as mentioned in the previous point so as to not block your gutters. 

Check the spikes of the gutter
Check all the spikes that go through the gutter, through the fascia board and into the rafter behind it. In most homes, these spikes miss the rafters entirely. This usually happens because the spike is just worn out of the hole, over the years. It is a good idea to invest in new gutter spikes so the gutters are securely fastened to the wall once again.

Look for leaks
Another thing you want to look for is the source of leaks. This includes holes in the gutters and cracked caulking in the seams as well. Use an old chisel to scrape out the old caulking and dry the area thoroughly. You can use new bead silicon sealing to keep water from getting down behind the gutters and rotting the boards. 

Pressure washer
You can use a pressure washer to clear blocked gutters provided you have secured the gutters to the wall with new spikes or screws. If the spikes or screws have not been secured properly, there is a chance that you could blow off the shingles with a high pressure stream of water. The real key, in order to prevent this, is to avoid hitting the gutters at too high an angle. 

Replacing old and rusty gutters
If you observe your gutters have started rusting, it is obvious they have grown old. The new gutters today are made of aluminium and vinyl and this material doesn’t rust. We would suggest you replace the old gutters with the new ones made of aluminium and vinyl. If that is not possible, you need to get the rust off of the old gutters, scrape them thoroughly with sand paper and paint them with a good primer initially, and then with a good-quality rust-inhibiting paint afterward. 

Regular maintenance of roof gutters and related plumbing will ensure smooth functioning of the whole system. If you need any help to clear blocked gutters, contact a professional plumbing agency who will help you get your drains ready for the fall. 

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