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Submitted by: James Lon
Requirement of Cleaning:
To operate well during the rains, the gutters demand frequent cleaning. If gutters and downspouts are not cleaned, the clogging will dam up and rainwater will fill the gutters, overflow, and eventually pull the gutters loose. An unclean gutter can invite mild and mildew. Gutters that are neglected will carry heavy debris which has accumulated over time, in addition to standing water. That debris and water can weigh much and can damage the angle of the gutter known as pitch . If that pitch is lost due to excess weight, standing water can back up into the home or overflow into the home s foundation, possibly flooding your basement and can damage fascia boards.
Gutter cleaning is a task most of us avoid for the time and labor it demands. However, avoiding gutter cleaning may cause serious problems to your house, which is one of your important investments. If you have white gutters, external cleaning is also required to maintain the beauty of your home. To clean gutters on your own, follow simple steps mentioned below.
Scooping out loose debris:
Starting from a drain outlet at the low end of a gutter, working away from it, scoop out loose debris using a narrow garden trowel.
Blasting water with hose:
Using an on-off high-pressure nozzle mounted at the end of a water hose, wash out each length of gutter, working toward the drain outlet.
Clearing obstructions: If water doesn t drain through the drainpipes, use a plumber auger U (snake) to pull out the debris from the bottom. In some situations, do the same to push it through from the top.
Use of Ladder:
Choose a sturdy ladder, and place it on a firm, level base. Never stand on the top two rungs. But only take on this task if you can work safely from a ladder or the roof. If your roof is higher than a single story, you re better off hiring a pro.
Safety Wears:
If you re comfortable working from the rooftop and your roof has a very low pitch, this can be easier than working from a ladder. But only do this under extremely safe conditions. Wear non-slip shoes, and never lean over the edge or work near power lines.
A method sometimes used by home handymen on low-sloped roofs is to blow dry debris out of gutters with a leaf blower. If you use this method, wear goggles and a dust mask.
Wear heavy work gloves to protect your hands since gutters often have sharp metal parts or screw points sticking out into their troughs. Also wear safety glasses or goggles. In some situations, it’s helpful to have a bucket for collecting debris and a drop cloth for protecting areas beneath the gutter.
Weather:
This task should only be done in fair weather. Never work on the roof in wet, icy, or windy conditions.
Frequency of Cleaning:
Plan to clean gutters at least twice a year-more often if the roof is directly beneath trees or you live in a region with frequent storms. Typically, the best times to do this are spring when the tree seed pods and flower debris are down and fall when the leaves are down. Each year this window of opportunity can be very different. The late fall option can be difficult if put off too long and you get into snow and freezing weather were it is not safe or practical to work on gutters.
Some people don t see in advance the need for gutter cleaning and wait till the gutters show a problem. This method can lead to a sudden death playoff with problems in the winter being the hardest to resolve if there are freezing conditions.
About the Author: Island Gutters provides complete rain gutter installation solutions for business owner and home owners in Suffolk County, New York. We also offer quality rain gutter repair and cleaning services.
islandgutters.com/
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