How To Clean Your Gutters

In Athens, we are blessed to be surrounded by many examples of nature's beauty. We get to experience a variety of weather with the changing of the seasons and take in the sites of changing flora and fauna. The question remains, are your gutters acting as a safe space for plant life?

Your gutters must be regularly cleaned in order to function properly. Dirt, debris, and leaves can clog your gutters and prevent rainwater and snow/ice melt run-off from traveling through your downspouts and away from your home's foundation. How can you tell it's time to clean your gutters, and how can you effectively clean them?

When Should I Clean My Gutters?

In simple terms, you should plan to clean your gutters twice each year. Ideally, the best times for gutter cleaning are the spring and fall. Autumn's falling leaves test your gutters, and keeping your gutters in top shape for the storms of spring and summer demands regular work.

Keep an eye out for some of the common signs your gutters need help NOW.

• Bulging Gutters
• Water Overflow
• Sagging Gutters
• Soggy Ground Near Your Foundation
• Cracked Paint or Splits in Gutters

If you see more than one of the signs listed above, it is crucial that you act quickly to prevent damage to your home, such as foundation problems, leaks, and cracks in your interior walls. Sometimes gutter cleaning will correct these issues, but if they've been neglected too long, you may be faced with gutter replacement.

Gutter Cleaning How-To Tips

Safety should always be your highest concern when doing any home improvement or maintenance project. Gutter cleaning will require climbing a ladder and possibly walking on your roof. If you're not comfortable doing either of these tasks, consider hiring professional help.

If proceeding on your own, you'll need to both remove the dirt and debris from your gutters and flush them once you're done. Consider using a shovel and gloves to move compacted debris from the gutters. For the best results, we recommend you begin clearing debris near the downspout and working your way to the closed end of your gutters.

Once the large debris is removed, use your hose or a pressure washer to rinse any smaller debris, carefully avoiding spraying underneath the shingles of your roof. Again, be very cautious when operating a hose or pressure washer when on a ladder or roof.

If you need more help or would like to entrust this task to professionals, please call 740-541-2891 to schedule a free estimate from the pressure washing experts of Xtreme Clean & Green. We offer affordable and thorough pressure washing and gutter cleaning for Athens and the surrounding areas.