How to Clean Your Gutter

9/4/2019 (Permalink)

Cleaning out gutters is usually not at the top of the list of priorities for most homeowners. Many people do not realize that clogged gutters can lead to a multitude of problems, including property foundation damage, wood damage, landscape damage and ice dams. It is recommended that you clean your gutters at least twice per year. 

Here are a few steps you can do to ensure that your gutters are clean and functional: 

1.) Start cleaning at the downspout of the gutter.

If your gutter has horizontal extension pipes, you can remove them to clean the downspout. You can check if the downspout is flowing by shooting water from a hose down it. If the water isn't coming out on the other side then there is likely some debris blocking the path of the downspout.

2.) Remove any debris trapped in the gutter (i.e leaves, sticks, etc.) using your hands or a trowel. 

Use your hands to scoop out any debris trapped in your gutter. If you don't want to use your hands, you can also use a gardening trowel to scoop out the debris.

3.) Flush the gutter with a hose. You can also use a gutter-cleaning attachment on the hose if the water doesn't drain.

A common method to clean the downspout of a gutter is to use a hose to flush out any debris that may be blocking the gutter. If this does not work, you can purchase tools (such as a plumber's snake) into the gutter and turn the crank to loosen up the blockage of debris.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions about inspecting or cleaning your gutter, please do not hesitate to call the SERVPRO of Bend office at 541-385-7044.

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Sources:
Angie's List
Lowe's