HOW TO KEEP GUTTERS CLEAN

Gutters are used to drain rainwater from houses. If they work correctly, the appearance of leaks and humidity on the façade and inside the house is avoided. In order for it to fulfill its function correctly, you must commit to carrying out the preventive maintenance indicated by the installer, removing possible residues and repairing any damage that appears. In addition, in this way the useful life of the gutters is increased. If you want to know how to keep your gutters clean and give them proper maintenance, this article is for you.

Why is it important to clean gutters?

With the wind and rainwater it is normal for different types of waste to accumulate inside the storm water system, which can cause problematic accumulations and overflows of water for the building:

Deterioration of the facade. If the rainwater does not flow through the downspouts, it will overflow the gutter and slide down the façade, causing leaks, leaks, humidity and peeling of paint both outside and inside the house. Damage to gutter anchors. The accumulation of water, or even snow or ice in areas with harsh winters, generates extra weight in the storm water system, for which it is not prepared. If it is extended over time, there will come a time when the anchors will not support the weight and the system will end up detaching from the wall. Moisture problems in the foundations. Likewise, if the system does not drain where it is expected to, it is normal for flooding to occur that can affect the land adjoining the house and, finally, even its foundations.

How often is it convenient to clean the gutters?

Surely they already explained to you when installing: it is convenient to clean the gutters at least twice a year (at the end of autumn to remove the dry leaves and at the end of spring, to solve possible damages). However, depending on the conditions in your area, it may be necessary to increase preventive maintenance:

Depending on the climate of the area. If you live in an area with high rainfall, you should monitor the storm water system more often, since on the one hand there is a greater chance that it will suffer damage and, on the other, if it does, the consequences will be more serious. If the vegetation is abundant. If you live in an area surrounded by trees and with a lot of vegetation, it is much more likely that leaves, branches and other plant debris will accumulate in the gutters. In addition, the presence of trees will almost certainly bring with it a greater presence of birds, which contributes to increasing the waste that accumulates in the facility. In that case, you will need to clean them much more often.

Methods for cleaning gutters

There are different methods for cleaning gutters. Here we list some of the most common. How to keep a rain channel clean with pressurized water

Manual cleaning with gloves. The classic method, simpler and cheaper. As easy as getting on a ladder and removing the waste yourself. This will probably only work for you if the gutter isn't high up and has a short run, and you may still want to try other, more comfortable methods.

Cleaning with tools. On the market you will find specific tools for this cleaning, such as gutter cleaners, which work both short, on a ladder, and long, if you adapt a telescopic handle to them.

Leaf blower. You can also use a leaf blower to remove dry leaves and loose debris from the gutter, but it won't do much for stubborn dirt or heavy debris buildup.

Robot cleans gutters. The best system to save time and effort: it cleans automatically and autonomously for both circular and rectangular gutters, regardless of whether the hooks are at the top or bottom. It involves a larger financial investment, so it will almost certainly only interest you if you have a long run of gutters to clean.

With a pressure washer. It is an ideal method for clearing a clogged downspout of dried leaves and other debris. Depending on your needs, you can attach different accessories that increase its functionality:

Angled spear. Allows the pressure washer gun to grow to be able to carry out the task from the ground, without the need to use stairs or climb on the roof. It is highly recommended for single-story homes, since if it were longer it would not be manageable.

90º nozzle. Similar to the previous one, it is designed to direct the water jet precisely to the exact point. If you want to work from the ground, you will surely have to attach an extendable lance to it to comfortably reach the gutters.

Gutter cleaning kit. With this system you will be able to clean the gutters from the ground with a minimum of effort, since the cleaner trolley, once assembled, advances through the gutter eliminating the residues thanks to the water pressure that the hose transfers to it. Of course, you must climb the ladder to mount it.