Cleaning gutters and downspouts: how to prepare for autumn

 Cleaning gutters and downspouts is certainly not a very pleasant job, but one that you will still need to complete at least once a year to keep your property, commercial or residential, efficient and thus avoid infiltrations and other problems.

We recommend cleaning gutters and downspouts before fall arrives, after the leaves have already fallen, but before the cold weather and snow sets in. This is very important to avoid the formation of hard-to-remove ice sheets and other blockages. However, we must not forget that it is also essential to clear the gutters and downspouts in spring and before the heavy rains begin. Here are all the steps you will need to follow to complete a job in the best way and with little effort.

Choose the appropriate clothing

Cleaning gutters and downspouts is definitely a dirty job. Therefore it will be necessary to wear long-sleeved trousers and shirts, gloves and a hat. You may also consider wearing latex gloves under work gloves. This system will allow you to always have dry hands, even when you have to remove damp debris and water-soaked leaves.

Get the right equipment

Once you have decided on the day to clean the gutters and downspouts, you will need to get the right equipment. Whenever possible, hook the buckets permanently to the ladder: you will put the shovel in one and the other will be used to collect the earth , sticks , leaves and the rest of the debris that clog your gutters . Thanks to this system you will be able to carry out your work more efficiently and quickly, avoiding going up and down the ladder continuously.

Start with the downspouts

A good way to clean gutters and downspouts is to start with the coarsest debris. The first step, therefore, will be to remove all leaves, pieces of wood and anything else that causes the downspouts to clog. You will need to start by removing the downspout extension, if present, to get to the bottom opening easily. This step is essential, especially when the downpipe is connected to an underground drain.

After all, the function of downspouts is to direct the water away from the foundations of the house and when blocked they can cause humidity and other serious problems for the structure of the building.

To understand when the downspouts are very dirty, just let the water flow from top to bottom. If the quantity of water that comes out of the clog is less than that inserted in the upper part, then it means that there is an obstruction that must be removed without hesitation. Therefore, make sure you are wearing gloves and use the squeegee to collect all the dirt you can reach. Finally, rinse the downspout extension thoroughly using your garden hose.

Make your gutters shine

After taking care of the downspouts, the time has come to act on the gutters, positioning the ladder in the centre of a section so that you can work more comfortably and proceeding gradually. You will be able to rinse the gutters using a high power spray nozzle that is applied to the water pipe. Generally with this system you will be able to eliminate a large part of the debris, but in case of particularly stubborn dirt you will have to consider the possibility of using or renting a pressure washer. In other cases, a leaf blower may also come in handy.

Check the results of your work

Cleaning the gutters and downspouts can take up much of your free time during the weekend. A full day or two can usually be enough. However, when there is a lot of debris to be removed and the weather conditions are not favourable, you will be forced to stop to resume work the following days.

Once your downspouts and gutters are clean, all you have to do is rinse one last time paying attention to any water spills or leaks. In the first case you will have to remove the dirt that causes the blockage and in the second case make the necessary repairs. It also checks for the presence of stagnant water that collects in a certain point to restore the slope of the gutter. This is a maintenance job that you cannot put off, as it is necessary to ensure that the water can flow freely towards the downpipe.

In the end you will be able to feel satisfied with the results obtained, despite the effort and some hitches due to the state of wear of the gutters.

Stress-free gutter and downspout cleaning

Before you begin cleaning your gutters and downspouts, you'll need to make your own assessments because this project, more often than not, may require you to get on the roof and use professional tools. In order to ensure your safety, you can get help from another person to hold the ladder firmly or to turn the water on and off. In case of encrusted dirt, the water hose may not be sufficient. In any case, we advise you to always clean while remaining on the ladder without climbing onto the roof, always waiting for sunny days with little wind.

When you feel you have no experience in the field, with cleaning jobs on stairs or you simply don't feel comfortable with heights it is always better to request a professional gutter and downspout cleaning service, which will also allow you to save a lot. Effort and time.