Recognizing Cleaning Challenges

Winter is finally coming to an end. It's time to get out of the house and undo all of the damage that the harsh winter has caused. Don't know where to start? Why not start at the top and work your way down? Here, you'll find a few tips that'll help you clean the gutters and understand why it's so important to do so.

Why do gutters need cleaning?

The gutters are on your house to serve a purpose, which is to carry the water running off of the roof and away from the structure. If the gutters are not cleaned regularly, they will fill up with debris and the water will not flow properly. When this happens, the water overflows from the gutters and runs down the side of the house or into the ground directly beside the house where it eventually causes damage to the foundation and can lead to moisture in the basement.

Cleaning the gutters also gives you the opportunity to check things out on the roof. If, while cleaning the gutters, you notice that there's a lot of sandy material on the surface of the asphalt shingles, you'll know that it's time to have the roof inspected because it's a sign that the shingles are aging and may need to be replaced.

How do you safely clean the gutters?

Before you go climbing up on the roof to clean the gutters, give careful thought to your physical abilities and make sure you're not putting yourself at unnecessary risk. Some medications and health problems can cause balance and distance judgment issues, both of which can be deadly on a roof.

Then, gather up a few supplies, including a ladder, hose, bucket, thick rubber gloves, heavy-duty trash bags, and a wax pencil. Start by putting a trash bag inside the bucket. You'll be putting all of the junk that you clean out of the gutter into this bag. When it's full, you'll gently drop it from the roof and won't have to make several trips dumping the bucket. Put on the rubber gloves and start scooping the junk out of the gutters.

After you've removed all of the debris, get the hose and rinse the gutters out well. While cleaning them, look for any signs of damage or corrosion. Mark these areas with the wax pencil so that you can tend to the repairs later.

If you're not comfortable taking on a project such as this on your own, locate professional gutter cleaning services in your area for assistance.