Guttering is an element often overlooked when it comes to maintaining a healthy home. Their primary function is to catch rainwater as it runs down your roof and prevent damage to your house’s foundation. Without a clean and functional gutter, water can creep into every crevice of your walls and weaken bricks over time! External home maintenance is essential to prevent long-term structural issues. Annual cleaning removes fallen leaves that could compromise your gutter’s ability to capture and retain water.
Before you get started tackling dirt and debris, wait a second. We’ve got everything you need to know in this article! Here are the best ways to clean your gutter.
Always Wear Sensible Attire
Secure clothing is a necessity, particularly if you are planning on using a ladder. You can’t adjust your trousers or your shoes while you’re at height without some risk! Long sleeves will also protect your arms from the cold, while a hood is a necessity if you’re faced with rain. It is advisable to wait for a dry spell before you tackle your gutters, but we understand that isn’t always an option.
Use Your Hand For A Quick Clean
Your hand is an exceptional tool. Protect it with a pair of thick rubber gloves, and you’ve got the perfect instrument to dislodge wedges of wet leaves. All you need to do is climb up a ladder, ensure you’re secure, and scrape away spoonfuls of rubbish. Empty waste into a plastic bag or a bucket as you go, so you can tidily dispose of it when you’re finished.
We must stress that you follow the UK’s health and safety guidelines when you work at height. Be sure not to overstretch while cleaning, and work in small portions once you’ve climbed the ladder. Trying to scoop too much at one time or stretching too far could overexert your energy and attention, resulting in loss of balance and a nasty fall.
Install A Hedgehog Gutter Brush
Now you’ve removed the majority of dirt and debris, you can prevent it from recollecting. A hedgehog gutter brush fills the empty space with prickly plastic, and prevents leaves from grouping together in a soggy clump. Water can still trickle down into your downpipe, so the primary function of your gutter system is not interrupted. There is simply no reason you shouldn’t consider one of these!
Domestic and commercial properties alike can benefit from the preventive measure, particularly if your premises are located near full trees. You’ll reduce the frequency you need to clean each gutter, so you can focus your effort on other aspects of property maintenance. You’re welcome!
Don’t Forget Finishing Touches!
Once you’ve removed chunky blockages from your guttering, you need to wash the pipes down. A hose can uproot any dirt that’s determined to cling to your gutters and flush the muck toward your downpipe. If you don’t have a hose, a bucketful of water can substitute the pressured water. Stagnant water will be less effective, and you may need to refill the bucket several times to finish the job, but it’ll rinse where it pours.
Now is also the time to check and clean your downpipes. Your downpipe drains away anything your gutters catch, so it is equally likely to be stuffed up with fallen leaves and moss. Pressure from your hose pipe could flush out soft blockages, but you may need to unscrew the pipe to remove stubborn material.
Always Remain Vigilant
Annual cleaning is a minimum requirement for a healthy gutter system. However, more regular maintenance is required if you’re surrounded by large trees that shed thousands of leaves. You can expect to check your downpipe and your gutters around four times a year in these circumstances.
When performing your cleaning, try and assess the need for repairs or replacements before problems escalate. Cracked gutters can cause significant issues when attacked with ice in winter, so replace them in autumn! Contact us at C&A for your new guttering.
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