With every home, there are a certain amount of maintenance tasks that need to be handled at least two times a month. This is especially true if you live in a house. Since you have a backyard, you have a lot more stuff to deal with. One of the things that you will have to invest more of your time is the gutters. Keeping them clean and read of any kind of debris is essential for the health of your home and the safety of you and your family.
However, this maintenance task can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you do not have the right tools. This is the reason that most people just call for professional services to deal with this issue. But, you may not have the will or the time to call for such services. You are left to deal with this problem by yourself.
There is nothing wrong with that because, with the right knowledge and maybe a few tools, you could probably handle this task quite easily. Before you start or before you do anything, I suggest reading through this entire article to keep some things in mind when DIY gutter cleaning.
It is not that difficult
According to Aussie Gutter Protection, one of the most important things that you will have to keep in mind when dealing with this kind of issue is the fact that it is not that difficult as it seems. I know, it might seem a bit sketchy at first because you will have to climb on the ladder and clean from there, but it is really not that scary if you know what you are doing.
This is a vital piece of information only because you need to be in the right mindset when you get out there. If you decide to climb up there with the fear that something bad might happen, you put yourself at a greater risk. So, instead, I suggest that you forget about that fear and just try to tackle the problem as best as you can.
Equip yourself with the right knowledge and the right tools and you will not have any kind of issue with this maintenance task.
Get the right tools
It is true that cleaning gutters can be done by hand. Some professionals are so skilled, they prefer to use their hands when trying to remove debris and junk from gutters. However, I assume that you have no experience with this and that you are not as skilled, so I suggest using the right tools.
Do not worry, you probably have most of these tools that I am going to mention. If not, you could always borrow it from a close friend or some of your neighbors. I am sure they will be willing to provide you with a set of tools for just a few hours.
So, what is the most essential tool for this job? Well, there are a few things. First, you will definitely need a ladder. You have to get up there somehow. Although, if you have some dedicated access to the roof of your home, you probably will not need one.
After that, make sure that you have a pair of nice sturdy gloves. Do not try to use those basic silicone ones because they will easily tear by the debris. I would not suggest touching all of that stuff stuck in the gutter with your bare hands. Gloves are essential.
A large bag will also be required to fill it with the debris in the junk that you will find up there. Make sure you have someone close that can help you bring down the bag full of debris.
You may also need a water hose. Sometimes, all those branches, leaves, and dirt can get stuck in the gutter, and with the help of some water, it might be easier for you to remove it.
Professional gutter services are equipped with all the right tools that will effectively remove every bit of gunk. You can click here and see exactly what they used to ensure that their customers are always one hundred percent satisfied.
Have some support
With enough experience in the right equipment, you will be able to deal with this problem in less than an hour and by yourself. But, since you are reading this article, I assume that you still do not have that experience. That is why I suggest that it is vital that you have some support to help you with this task. Call a close friend or someone from your family to assist you throughout the process. Do not worry, they will not have to do anything difficult or serious, but they can still be very useful.
First, they can help you climb up there by holding your ladder. The roof might not seem like it is very high, but a fall from there is still quite dangerous. Always have a safety first in mind. Once you get up there, you will also need assistance from someone to provide you with all the necessary tools. So, if you need a bag or bucket, you will not have to get down and go up again. That is just a waste of time and an increase in risk.
Your assistance could also come useful when you need to use the water hose to spread in the gutter. You can tell them when to turn on or shut off the water when needed.
Check the flow of the water
After you are done cleaning the gutter all that is left to do is to check the flow of the water. Grab the hose, put it in the gutter, turn on the water, and wait. Leave it running for at least a few minutes and see whether the water will flow in the right places. If something is clogged, you will immediately notice.
If everything is flowing smoothly, you have done your job.
Keep in mind, this maintenance task might not always be so simple and easy and you still might have to call professional services.
