Gutter Cleaners: Know Your Options

Gutter Guards Cleaning the gutters is one of those time and work-intensive chores you probably just want to put off. But, alas, you can't. But you've got more options than you think when it comes to keeping your gutters spotless. Here are some gutter cleaners you can use that can keep you on top of your gutters.

Hired Contractors

One option, as simple as it sounds, is hiring somebody. There are professional gutter cleaners that you can simply give your credit card to, set a schedule, and never have to think about it again. But that doesn't mean it'll be easy.

When hiring any contractor, even one who will never go in your house, you have to check their credentials and references. Use local contractor websites like Angie's List to look up who's the best and who's the worst, check them against the Better Business Bureau and ask at hardware stores who comes recommended. But if you don't want to do it yourself, this is the option for you.

Gutter Guards

If you don't feel like hiring gutter cleaners, you can just eliminate a step from the process entirely, and keep that crud out of your gutters in the first place. Gutter guards easily keep your gutter-cleaning nemeses, leaves and sticks, out of your gutters, while letting water through to run out.

You can even install some of them yourself, and save a little money. Just remember, they need to be installed carefully, and they'll cost more than the other solutions listed here. But you'll have to think about it far less, and your gutters will stay cleaner, longer.

Power Cleaning Tools

There are dozens of cleaning tools on the market designed to keep your gutters clean while you stay safely on the ground. If you own a leaf blower, shop vac, or garden hose, there's a tool you can fit on them to blow, suck, or blast your gutters clean, and do it for a fairly low price.

The problem is that, well, there are dozens of gutter cleaners on the market. Even a simple hose attachment will have dozens of versions, all with a different cost and different levels of quality. Whatever solution you choose, you'll be spending a lot of time on the Internet or the hardware store comparing prices and quality. And you might have to use them in combination to get stubborn clogs out.

Still, if you've already got the power tools, you can get your gutters cleaner in less time and for a decent price.

Hand Cleaning Tools

If you don't feel like using your power tools, there are plenty of specialty hand gutter cleaners, scrubbers, and washers on the market. These range from devices that look like those cranes at the arcade to telescoping tools intended to be used on a ladder. Prices are generally reasonable.

But like it or not, you'll probably be on a ladder using hand tools. These are designed to save you some time moving the ladder around. But if you like climbing up, and just want to shave some time off of doing it by hand, these are a good cost-conscious choice.

Robots

Yes, in the 21st century, we've finally figured out how to make a robot that cleans your gutters. It's called the Looj, and is from iRobot, the business that gave us the Roomba and the Scooba. It'll cost you a pretty penny, and you'll have to keep an eye on it, recharge it, and so on, but you can sit on the ground with a cold beverage and oversee it. It's just like hiring a teenager, but with less eye-rolling and attitude!

So, you've got options, if you don't feel like dragging out that ladder. Choose the one that's right for you, and never worry about your gutters again.