Clean Your Gutters in Square, PA, Avoid Paint and Siding Damage

Your gutters help keep your home in good condition. By cleaning these regularly, you will prevent damage to the siding, exterior paint, and foundation.

To help prevent damage to the paint, foundations, landscaping, crawl spaces, and other building surfaces, gutters need to be well maintained.

Luckily, most homeowners can accomplish this task with a bit of DIY skills.
Gutter cleaning should be done at least twice a year.
So, roll up your sleeves, put on some gloves, and follow our step-by-step guide to removing leaves, debris, and litter that has accumulated in your gutters.

How often should I clean gutters?

Gutters should be cleaned at least once a year, but we recommend doing this twice a year.
Excess rainwater and litter will build up after heavy storms, so it’s imperative to make sure your gutters are clean, as they can easily become clogged if neglected.

Equipment Needed To Wash Gutters

First, wear the right clothes and be well equipped for this kind of task.
This includes long sleeves, long pants, and rubber gloves that cover up to half of your arms.
Next, you will need a reliable and sturdy extendable ladder. This must be equipped with stabilizers to prevent the ladder from damaging the gutter.
Besides, you will need equipment to remove the dirt.

A child’s shovel may work, but if you don’t have one on hand, you can pick up a small plastic shovel from your local hardware store.
Put a plastic sheet under the gutters to catch any falling debris. Also, have a garden hose at your disposal so that you can wash the gutters after emptying them.

Adopt safe use of the ladder

When cleaning gutters, it is vital to adopt a safe use of ladders.
Unfortunately, most home improvement accidents happen because people don’t know how to use a ladder.
Before you start cleaning gutters, alert someone nearby that you will be using a ladder.
And, before getting on the ladder, check that the ground under the ladder is stable.

The ladder you choose to use should accommodate a medium-sized bucket, which you will use to collect the debris.
Do not select a three-legged ladder for this type of task, as this kind of model can easily topple.
Before starting work, inspect the ladder to see if any parts are missing or loose and ensure all screws and bolts are tight.
Once all of these steps have been completed, calmly climb the ladder to remove the dirt accumulated in the gutters.

Cleaning the Gutters: A Few Tips

Once you are fully seated on the ladder, begin removing the debris using a small shovel or any other tool that can be used for the task.
No matter which tool you choose, be sure to wear gloves. Once all the dirt has been removed, run water through the gutter and check that the flow is good and no leaks or holes.

To do this, put the garden hose at full power and run it down the descent. If the water that arrives at the end of the descent is less and has far much less pressure than what you are pouring in, there is certainly a blockage.
If you have discovered a blockage, remove the garden hose’s end and push the hose back into the downspout to dislodge any stuck debris.
Also, check that the gutters are securely attached to the side of the house.

Regular maintenance and cleaning of your gutter will cause blockage, leakage, and potential exterior paint damage that follows thereafter.

If you need help to repaint your home exterior and eliminate signs of water damage, our team at Left Moon Painting can help.
We have years of experience offering residential repainting services in Kennett Square, PA, and West Chester, PA.

If you would like to try us, request a FREE estimate below to get started or call us at (484) 757-5295 for more information.