Power Washing Guide to Clean Gutters the Right Way in Kalamazoo

Todd Rooney • Feb 12, 2020
Power Washing Guide to Clean Gutters the Right Way in Kalamazoo
Cleaning your gutters is a necessary evil. It's one of the most unpleasant chores there is, but forgoing it can lead to property damage and personal injury. It's a non-negotiable task, especially when you live in an area that experiences rain often. 

Your entire roof serves as the shield of your home, protecting you from rain, snow, hail, falling leaves, and more. The last thing you want to have is clogged gutters as they can result in water seeping into your home, which can end up in significant damages. 

How to know when it's time to clean your gutters

Gutter maintenance should be done at least once a year, but it requires immediate attention when it's starting to sag or when the roof is leaking. At the first sign of sagging, you should take action right away or else you risk your gutter detaching completely. 

You should also be on the lookout for plant growth, as well as animals crawling inside or birds nesting within the gutters. When you notice these things, you know you're due for some serious clearing and cleaning.

How often to clean your gutters

Cleaning the gutters is a task often forgotten about, but the general rule of thumb is it should be cleaned twice yearly — especially during the period where seasons are changing. It's also good practice to check them periodically throughout the year in case there's any debris that needs to be removed right away.

Ideally, you should be cleaning your gutters after the rainy season when it gets clogged with water, and after fall when it gets filled with fallen leaves.

Tools you need
  • Ladder: for easy access to the gutters 
  • Thick gloves: for hand protection
  • Safety goggles: for protecting your eyes
  • Dust mask: to prevent inhaling dust
  • Garden trowel: to scoop out debris
  • Bucket: to collect debris

Tips for cleaning gutters
  • Have a spotter when using a ladder to ensure your safety. 500,000 people get injured annually due to ladder falls, you don't want to be part of that statistic.
  • Inspect your gutters while you're cleaning them. Look for signs of damage like cracks and leaks, address them right away to avoid further destruction. 
  • When cleaning, it's better to work in sections, so each part gets equal attention. Avoid overreaching to other sections and keep your body upright to avoid injuries. 
  • Don't forget to clean downspouts. Make it part of your gutter cleaning routine. Don't let debris clog it lest you don't want water to drain properly.
  • Rinse the entire roof after clearing out all the debris. There may be stubborn residue sticking inside your gutters, so make sure to flush them out before calling it a day. A good tip would be using a garden hose to give the roof a solid rinse. 
  • Consider installing gutter guards to save you time from clearing out too much debris the next time.

Consider professional cleaning

Sometimes, it's best to delegate things to a professional. While there's nothing wrong with relying on your own expertise, an expert can do a better job of cleaning and assessing damage. 

If you need a reputable gutter pressure washing service in Kalamazoo, give us a call today! We’re happy to help.

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