Cleaning out gutters is an important part of home maintenance and keeping your family and loved ones safe. A clogged gutter can affect the foundation of your home and cause other problems such as mold, mildew, landscape erosion, basement flooding and destruction of personal property.
Gutters allow rainwater to move off the roof and sides of a home and safely down to the ground without causing damage. They must be free of leaves, debris and small objects to work properly. Below are several gutter cleaning tips to keep your gutters flowing freely.
How do you keep your gutters clean? The goal is to keep water flowing through the gutter while keeping leaves, debris and other matter out. You can clean your gutter yourself twice per year, hire a professional or use a self-cleaning mechanism like Gutter Helmet® that once installed, does the work for you.
- Do It Yourself: Cleaning
Cleaning your own gutters involves a high level of physical risk, so be extremely cautious when performing this task. If you are doing it yourself, you will need a pair of gloves, a dust mask, safety goggles and a ladder. Pick up the debris and put it in a garbage bag using a garden trowel. Rinse the gutter by the downspout area using a high-pressure nozzle attached to your hose. Then clear downspouts using a hose or auger. You may also want to install leaf strainers at the drain tops to prevent clogging. - Do it Yourself: Maintaining
Repairing your own gutters involves a high level of physical risk, so be extremely cautious when performing this task. You will need to maintain your gutters and periodically check them for clogs, leaks and pitch problems. You will want to patch holes and install gutter caps or screens to help you keep debris out. It is important that you do this, particularly in winter to prevent icicles and snow build-up.
One of the most effective and easiest ways to maintain your gutters is to purchase a gutter protection system such as Gutter Helmet®. The Gutter Helmet system is also compatible with Helmet Heat®, a self-regulating heating cable installed inside the Gutter Helmet to prevent the build-up of ice and snow in gutters during the winter.
How Much Does Gutter Cleaning Cost?
The cost of gutter cleaning varies depending on the house structure and area you live. Rates average at $146 or a little under $1 per linear foot, according to the 2016 HomeAdvisor report. And these charges can really add up if you have several trees around your home.
Installing a Gutter Helmet® system eliminates the hassles of gutter cleaning, prevents damage, saves money over time and offers you peace of mind. Call Gutter Helmet® at (800) 824-3772 to get a no-obligation quote or schedule an installation.
