Gutter Cleaning Basics – Simple Tools and Methods to Work Safely
Sometimes we put off jobs because they seem difficult and dangerous. Gutter cleaning and maintenance are probably at the top of the procrastination list, but gutters should be cleaned twice a year if possible. Spring cleaning, after the seeds and helicopters come down, is the most important. Many seeds float and quickly make their way to the downspout where they will clog in no time. In the fall, the weather can change quickly and the cold and humidity are miserable and dangerous for climbing stairs. I have been in the gutter repair and maintenance business for over five years and I can tell you that late spring cleaning is critical to annual gutter maintenance. We’ll look at some simple tools and methods that will make the job a little less scary and a little easier to do.
The biggest tool, of course, is the ladder. I have found that an extension ladder is the best type for gutter cleaning because you can climb over the gutter and look down. Don’t worry about scratching the gutter. The liners they use on the gutters are very tough and very few people are going to openly criticize you for a couple of mars in your gutters. Safety is your main concern and you don’t want to blindly reach back and over the edge of the gutter. Climbing on the roof should also be avoided: the roof pitch is very difficult to work with and worse if it leans over the edge. The shingles are easy to break and your boots will tear away the tiny stones, reducing the life of the roof. You will also need a flat wedge large enough to rest one foot of the ladder so that it is level; a pair of thick rubber work gloves and a belt clip to carry a small garden hoe. Your local hardware store will carry many of these items, but go to the yellow pages and find a ladder and scaffold supply store. You will be happy to find many products that large stores cannot sell. And remember to wear lace-up boots above the ankle.
An extension ladder that extends to 14 feet is good for a single story and at least 24 feet for a two-story home. The stairs will have instructions on the side that must be followed closely. The small garden hoe should be no more than three inches wide and the handle no more than two feet long. It will be easy to carry on a belt hook or other tool belt. Thick rubber gloves are necessary to avoid cuts by numerous sharp screws and edges inside the gutter. The gloves will also keep your hands clean and dry (a real blessing in the cold!).
Start at the end of the gutter opposite the downspout. Work your way up to reach out with the hoe, but always keep your shoulders within the vertical rails of the ladder. You should be able to reach three to four feet of gutter on each side at a time safely. Be very careful when cleaning over the downspout. Don’t drag the hoe through the opening, instead use your fingers to gently reach under the leaves and seeds and push them out. I don’t bother with a hose. Hoses are dangerous and difficult to handle on a ladder and only make things slip. The hose will also wash too much solid material on the upper elbows at the same time, clogging them. Just leave the bits that don’t come off with your hands so the rain will gently wash them away. Remember that your gutters are not an operating room. I would never use a leaf blower because this will only push the leaves and seeds into the downspout and being on the roof waving a heavy piece of equipment sounds like a disaster.
The best thing about using an extension ladder is being able to look down the downspout. Hit it several times and you will know if it is plugged in. Of all the gutters and downspouts I’ve seen, these top elbows are the worst places for plugs. If the elbows are riveted (a rivet looks like a small flat disk with a small hole in the center), you will need to drill it out with a 1/8 bit using a cordless drill / driver. The downspouts can also be screwed in with self-drilling screws that have ¼-inch hex heads. Elbows may have multiple rivets or screws and are sometimes difficult to separate. In some cases, you will have to disassemble the entire downspout by removing the straps. Elbows and straps can be reassembled with self-drilling screws (screws of the same color are available from gutter and siding supply houses).
So now you are ready to keep your gutters clean and flowing freely. If you haven’t spent a lot of time on stairs, start by propping the ladder against your house or garage and get some practice; have the feeling of being on a ladder; the stairs are flexible and bounce a bit. Start with the easy-access gutters around the garage and the first floor; then work your way up to the higher levels. Use the flat wedge to wedge the ladder if it is not perpendicular to the ground. Again, follow the instructions that come with the ladder.
