It’s important to keep your gutters clear of leaves and debris so that water can drain properly.
One way to do this is to clean them as often as possible during dry weather (or weekly during wet weather).
But when it comes to gutter cleaning, there are also some other factors that need consideration:
How Much Water is Going Down the Slope?
If you have a low incline, then cleaning more frequently may be okay. If you have a steep slope to your gutters, it can be more of an issue.
This is because the water coming down the gutter will stay that way until it reaches the bottom.
On a steep slope, that means that even a small amount of water on the gutter will hold onto it as it goes down and accumulate faster than on a gentle incline.
If you have gutters with large amounts of debris, regular cleanings can often remove larger amounts of material than once-a-week cleans may be able to remove.
What Material are your Gutters Made out of?
This can affect how long your gutters will last. Aluminum gutters tend to corrode faster than polymer gutter systems.
They will also fade over time, but that is normal for aluminum and is not an indication of a problem.
If you do get a leak or find any other signs of problems with your gutters, it’s important to have them repaired as soon as possible so that water damage does not occur.
Read Also:
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- Roof Maintenance: 5 Tips for Keeping Your Gutters in Good Shape
- What are the Different Types of House Gutters That Exist Today?
- Factors to Consider When Choosing a Roof for Your Home
- Step by Step: Clean and Protect Your Gutters
- What is Gutter Vacuum Cleaning
How Good are your Gutters at Cleaning Themselves?
If you follow the instructions for cleaning your gutters as outlined above and use a quality cleaning product like RainX, then you will have a pretty good idea of how well your system is working.
The issue of frequent cleanings should be very minimal. But if you notice that the water is flowing down the gutter too quickly or that there is a lot of debris in the gutter, that may be an indication that it’s time to get them cleaned up again.
Why You Should Clean Your Gutters Regularly
Yes, the gutter is gross. Yes, it’s a pain to scrub it all the time. But let’s be honest—if you don’t clean your gutters at least once a year, you’re likely going to pay for the privilege later on.
Why? Well, just like with any other dirty space in and around your home, dirt collects and accumulates inside of them—promoting potential health problems like clogged drains and moldy walls.
As per the EPA, rain gutters are designed to stay relatively clean inside. However, they can become a breeding ground for mold or mildew if left unchecked.
Mold and mildew thrive in moist and humid environments, so when they do get through, they can be difficult to remove.
It’s best to avoid that problem in the first place by maintaining regular gutter cleaning.
So how can you make the process easier? Here are a few quick suggestions.
Use Green Scrub
These products are made with safe biodegradable ingredients, like wood pulp and corn starch.
All of the ingredients have been tested and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency to prevent mold growth and deodorize, so they’re safe on your gutter walls.
And their action-packed formulas won’t weigh your gutters down, so water can move through them better. If you don’t have a lot of time, this is the best product for cleaning your gutters.
Try Lighter Cleaners
Lighter cleaners are another option if you don’t have a lot of time to devote to gutter maintenance.
They’re biodegradable and can cut through dirt and grime. And since they’re lighter than harsh chemicals, they won’t weigh down your gutters the way other options might—so water can continue to flow freely through them.
Use the Right Tools
If you can, use a tool that extends the reach of your arm. If you’re tall enough to reach the gutter, but not strong enough to scrub it, try using a telescopic pole—it will help you keep your gutters as clean as possible.
If you’re cleaning out gutters that line up with other parts of your house or structure, a telescoping pole can also help you get to other difficult-to-reach places.
And no dirty job is complete without the right equipment—which is why using the right tools for the job is so important.
Consider Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance isn’t just about a quick, one-time sweep of your gutters as you’re going about your yard work.
Instead, it’s about knowing when you need to get to work on your gutters and actually doing it.
And since the best way to figure out when to clean your gutters is by asking a professional, it’s also important to know what kind of work you’ll need.
For example, if there’s more than one layer of shingles and they haven’t been replaced recently, you’ll probably want to get rid of them if you can.
This is especially true if they could be prone to mold or mildew problems. When it comes to your gutters, you can never be too careful.
