Cleaning gutters can be a challenging task. They might be hard to reach or you might feel unsafe on a ladder. Luckily there are some alternatives to using a ladder that allow you to clean them anyway. We have discussed gutter guards here but let’s take a look at some tools that you can use to clean the gutters.
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It can be a great idea to use a camera or to check where the most dirt is accumulated. This will allow you to target that area so that this can be cleaned. Sometimes clogs can stop the water from flowing. This can lead to big problems as water can leak inside your wall or house and create stains or even mold. For these reasons, it is essential that you check after you have cleaned to make sure that everything is removed. You can also use a mirror on a stick if you don’t have access to a camera.
Long stick with brush
This is a basic method. Just a long stick with a brush on the end. The problem is that dirt in gutters can be wet and sticky. A brush might not be able to get everything out. The advantage of this method is that it is easy to store. It can work for gutters that are not that dirty and just contain some dust and dirt. For sticky and very dirty gutters it might not work that well. This method might not be powerful enough for really dirty gutters so you have to check how much dirt is in your gutters before deciding if this will work for you.
Gutter scooper
This can best be described as salad tongs on a stick. It works best with a mirror. The manufacturer mentions that this won’t work very well with wet leaves as these tend to stick too much. This is another reason why it is best to clean your gutters during summer. Wet leaves can be messy and sticky so it is best to remove them when they are dry. This scooper does a pretty good job overall. It can take a lot of time though if you have a big home.
Water pressure to clena gutters
If you have a pressure washer, the following option is great. It connects to a long pipe and allows you to blast water inside the gutter from the ground. If you have a window above the gutter, you don’t need this attachment piece but it can be handy for hard-to-reach places. This can work for dirtier gutters but make sure that you don’t use too much water pressure as this can damage your gutters. The water sprays in different directions, pushing dirt away. You shouldn’t stand too close to the gutter as mud and dirt can fly around.
Pressure blower to clean gutters
This method has the best reviews. It doesn’t have the disadvantages of the other methods. It doesn’t create dirty mud but still has enough power to get things cleaned. It is a plastic attachment for your leaf blower. If you don’t have a leaf blower, this might be the most expensive solution but it works best. If you have to hire a company to clean your gutters, it will be more expensive. If you have trees nearby your gutters, this can be a great investment as your gutters are properly cleaned, it isn’t too heavy or difficult to control, and quite affordable.
Gutter cleaning robot
More recently robots have been introduced. They can work quite well but are generally pretty expensive to get. They come with a remote so you can control them from the ground. While they don’t get stuck often, it can be challenging to retrieve them when it happens. It is also necessary to place them in the gutter and this might involve climbing up a ladder if you don’t have a window nearby. These robots are still improving so it is possible that they will get really good in the coming years. For now, they are doing a pretty good job but require quite a lot of management.
Sometimes it is possible to rent them, making it easier to give them a try.
Hire a company to remove leaves for you.
If your gutters are really dirty, it can be a good idea to hire someone to get them cleaned. Some dirt can be sticky and hard to get out of without a shovel. Sediment such as bird excrements can build up over the years and be difficult to remove. This can be quite expensive though. You might consider changing the location of a tree if you have clogged-up gutters. Trees can do a lot of damage to a house (such as breaking the sewer lines) so be careful with planting trees nearby a house.
To conclude, we can state that it is important to keep your gutters clean. They can contain dirt that clogs up water. This can lead to a lot of problems and even water leaks. For this reason, you should clean your gutters at least once a year. It is best to do this during summer or spring as the leaves are dry and easier to remove. Wet leaves can be challenging to remove from the ground. You can consider gutter guards or removing trees if you have a lot of dirt in your gutters. Dirty and wet leaves can also be heavy and start to break your gutters. In this post, we have discussed how you can easily clean them from the ground. Using a leaf blower with an attachment is often the easiest way to go about this. It cleans well without making too much of a mess. It is also a lot cheaper than paying a company to do it for you.
Resources
https://www.cnet.com/culture/irobot-updates-looj-gutter-bot-entry-level-roomba/
