Cleaning Rain Gutters

Paging Dr. Seminara, or; how I remember when to clean the gutters

While rain gutter cleaning is a service widely available and tempting to solicit, most homeowners accept it as a simple, albeit tiresome, chore.  Barring any serious fear of heights or gross incompetencies with such advanced workmen's tools like a caulk gun or garden trowel, you stand to save around 100 dollars.  Break out the rubber gloves and your ladder, it's time for your favorite biannual maintenance chore - followed closely by visits to the dentist.

Rain gutter neglect can land you in a world of trouble.  A leaf clog in the downspout will back up rainwater, ultimately stripping the gutters from their mounts and potentially causing wood rot.  Less disastrous but no less annoying will be the cascade of water pouring from loose gutters, matting your lawn or landscaping.  These methods are good for all types of gutters, but with vinyl and aluminum gutters, be sure to brace them against the ladder's weight.

Save money, then safety

Basic ladder safety dictates placing your ladder, extension or the step variety, on a flat, firm base.  To prevent damage to your gutter system, insert a small piece of a two by four where the ladder rails touch the rain gutters.  The rest you should know; Don't step on those top to rungs and don't be reaching so far that your hips extend past the rails. 

If you use gutter protection you may end up cleaning your gutters less, but don't expect them to be perfect.  Removing them for cleaning adds an extra step to an already tedious chore.  Start digging out loose debris with your narrow garden trowel.  Some use a leaf blower while walking along the roof's edge, though this isn't really recommended as you'll likely have to get your hands dirty anyway.  Hang a bag liner from your ladder rather than throwing the rain gutter debris on the ground below.  Novel, huh?

Finishing touches

After getting all the loose debris out, use a high-pressured nozzle to hose out the stuff that stuck.  Hold on to that trowel, though.  Some dirt or debris may be caked on.  The downspout may require a plumber's snake or just a solid shot with the hose.  Do yourself a favor for next time and buy a leaf strainer for the top of each downspout. 

Repairing leaks is as simple as noticing a leak and marking it with chalk.  When the gutter dries, seal it from the inside with gutter seal.  Your final job may be to rectify sagging rain gutters.  Using new hangars or fasteners, try to get a slope of at least one inch for every 20 feet of length.  This ratio varies, so just pay attention and make sure water isn't pooling.

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