Downspouts and cutters could get accumulated with debris and leaves which reduce the operation of the whole system. Thus, it is important to keep it clean and clear. Fortunately, this can be a simple task that you could easily do on your own. This guide from trusted outdoor cleaning services will show you some necessary steps to achieve that.
Necessary materials and tools
Before getting started, you need to prepare the following materials and tools:
- Ladder
- Leaf scooper
- Plastic bucket
- Plumber’s snake
- Garden hose
Collect leaves and debris
The first step is to collect leaves and debris from the gutters. The technique would vary, depending on the conditions.
- If the contents are wet
Cleaning gutters when the contents are wet can be messy. In most cases, you could use the drop and scoop method. All you need to do is to scoop out the gutters and drop their contents into a plastic tarp on the ground. When the tarp is full, you need to get rid of the leaves to a trash bag or compost bin. This is often the quickest method. - If contents are dry
When the contents inside are dry, it is much easier to clean. You should take a bucket to hook over the gutter’s edges.
Clean your Gutters
Once you have cleaned all the leaves, it’s time to clean your gutters. You could use many tools to scoop the inside contents from the gutters and put them in the bucket. Work in several short sections alongside the gutters. Avoid overreaching because it might cause accidents. Keep the body always upright, and only reach as far as you could without leaning away. You might have to move the ladder regularly, but it is important to ensure safety.
Clear your downspouts
After clearing the gutters, you also need to clean your downspouts as well. If these parts come with horizontal pipes, make sure to remove them before clearing the downspouts. Put a hose in the downspout from its top opening. Have someone turn the water on and check for the flow of the downspout.
If the downspout gets clogged, you need to clear out the blockage by using high-pressure water. If necessary, you can use a plumbing snake to clear it manually. Once you have cleared everything in the downspout, make sure to run water through the part to test its flow again. If the downspouts come with horizontal pipes, also keep in mind to check these parts for clogs and clean any visible obstructions.
Rinse
Once the downspouts and gutters have been thoroughly cleaned, you need to rinse and flush them out to remove remaining debris. Just insert the hose to the gutter and turn the water on. If your roof isn’t too high, you can simply spray water stream near the end of your gutters. Allow water to run for a couple of minutes till it is free of dirt and debris.