How to Efficiently Clean Your Roof Gutters

You need to clean your gutters regularly to remove debris such as leaves and twigs. Sorry, it may be a boring, menial task you’ve now to go to add to your list, but it’s got to be done.

The traditional method of cleaning gutters involves getting up on a ladder with gloves and manually scraping the debris out. We’ve all seen neighbours, parents, TV Shows doing it – so, is it now your turn?

a clogged gutter that needs to be cleaned

Manually scooping debris out of the gutter is one method, but it’s not very efficient.

Plus, it’s dangerous and creates a messy clean up.

Instead of risking your safety, you should learn how to clean roof gutters properly.

So, here’s how…

Remove Debris with Leaf Blowers and Vacs

There are a couple of different tools that you can use to clean your gutters.

These options include:

  • A leaf blower
  • A vacuum gutter cleaner

Leaf blowers are easy to use and effective. They can free up the loose debris quickly.

There may be some circumstances where the build-up of gunk has reached stubborn levels and you need something tougher and that’s when you can use a vacuum gutter cleaner.

man with a leaf blower cleaning his property

An outdoor vacuum is similar to a leaf blower with the airflow reversed. In fact, you may try using a leaf blower/vacuum with a bag attachment.

You can also find gutter vacuums that are designed specifically for cleaning gutters, including those that can be used from the ground – no ladder required. The benefit of a gutter vacuum is no mess left behind.

Unfortunately, vacuum gutter cleaners are costly and consumer-grade vacuums often lack the vacuum power needed to remove years of build-up and debris.

Removing Debris with a Pressure Washer

A pressure washer may help you blast debris out of the gutter. These appliances spray water at high pressure to remove debris and dirt. While a pressure washer is often used for cleaning roofing and siding, it may also be used to clear the gutters.

A high-powered spray of water is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to clear your gutters. It also allows you to monitor the flow of water to ensure that your downspouts are not clogged.

cleaning a clogged gutter with a pressure washer

There are a couple of drawbacks to using a pressure washer.

  • If you’re new to using one there is a learning curve that may mean a lot of wasted water sprayed all over your property. While you may clear your gutters, you may also flood your yard.
  • You may also apply too much pressure and cause damage to your roof tiles, flashing, or gutters. Instead of cleaning your gutters, you may blast them to the ground with a high-pressure spray of water.
  • Lastly, using a pressure washer is effective at lifting debris and dirt, however, you should also be mindful that if done incorrectly, the pressure could also drive debris straight down the downpipe causing a blockage at elbow of the downpipe.

Hiring Professionals to Clear Your Gutters

Climbing ladders and using leaf blowers or vacuums may not provide the results that you want. Or perhaps you don’t have time or enthusiasm to get out your ladder and muck out your gutters.

The best option is to hire a professional service that specializes in gutter cleaning.

Experienced roofers already know how to clean roof gutters using the right equipment and supplies.

They use commercial-grade vacuum gutter cleaning equipment and can easily clear your gutters and downspouts and clean up any mess.

You do not need to invest in any equipment or risk your neck climbing up a ladder. You simply need to contact a dependable gutter cleaning service and let the professionals handle the rest.

How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?

Most homeowners should clean the gutters at least twice per year.

You may want to clean in the early spring after the winter weather has passed. During the winter, strong storms may cause weakened branches near your home to break off and land on the roof.

You should also clean your gutters again after autumn. Leaves are one of the most common causes of clogged gutters, especially if you have a lot of trees around your property.

But it depends on the trees and plant life near your roof; you may need to clean your gutters more frequently.

Pay attention to the flow of water from your downspouts during a rainstorm. If you notice that they are no longer draining steadily, you may need to start cleaning the gutters more often.

rain overflowing gutters

If you spot any water running down the sides of your home instead of traveling through the downspouts, it’s an indication the gutters or downspouts are clogged. The water has nowhere else to go so it begins running off the edges of the gutters. This runoff may create a potential danger to the foundation of your property.

The water should be directed away from the foundation. When water flows toward the foundation, the exposure to water may slowly deteriorate the condition of the cement foundation.

Luckily, you can easily avoid these issues by hiring professionals to clean your gutters as needed. Remember to complete this task at least twice per year.

While cleaning your gutters, an experienced roofer can also inspect the condition of the gutters and downspouts, helping to point out the need for repairs before they become major issues.

PorterVac can help. We’re professional gutter cleaners with years of experience and a 4.8/5 rating on Google. Contact our team for a quote, or to book an appointment to clean your gutters today!

 

How do you effectively clean gutters?

You can effectively clean your gutters by using a leaf blower or vacuum, pressure washer or by hiring a professional gutter cleaner to do it for you.

How often should you clean gutters?

Most homeowners should clean the gutters at least twice per year.

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