The Careful Homeowner's Gutter Cleaning Tips : Home Improvement

The Careful Homeowner?s Gutter Cleaning Tips

Article by Easy Fall

Owning a home is more than just a privilege, it?s a responsibility. Until there?s a way for homes to use self-cleaning and maintaining technologies, it?s up to every homeowner to ensure that their house is clean, cared for and repaired when necessary. One of the biggest responsibilities for homeowners is the gutter. Gutters help manage rainwater and keep them from damaging the roofing and the walls. Learn the practical gutter cleaning tips every homeowner should know:

Prepare your tools.There are specialized tools for cleaning gutters but for the patient and dedicated homeowner, there really is no need to spend money to purchase or rent one. The most important tools you?ll need are probably already lying around in your house. Some of these include: a ladder, a pair of work gloves, work shoes with good traction, a tool for scooping debris, a narrow broom and a garden hose. It would also help if you have a scaffolding that?s high enough to allow you to reach into your gutters comfortably.

Check for safety.When using a ladder, make sure it is leaned onto a stable, solid surface. Do not lean the ladder against something that could crack, break or warp under your weight. Avoid climbing the ladder or working on a scaffolding if the surface you?ll be standing on is wet and slippery. Even with good-traction shoes, there is still the risk of slipping.

Check for sharp objects, chips and cracks that might cause injury or damage your tools.

Assess the extent of the blockage.Dry leaves and debris are relatively easy to clean. You can sweep them off, scoop them out or use a leaf blower if you have one. If your gutters are clogged and watery, check the drains first and try to unclog them. This will reduce the amount of water in the gutters and make them easier to clean. Using your work gloves or a scoop, take the leaves and debris off the gutters. If there are stubborn areas where rotten debris may have hardened, use a metal brush and gently scrape it off.

Once the solid debris have been taken care of, you could sweep off the rest if dry or use water for a thorough cleaning. A garden hose at full blast will help loosen up any leftover dirt and keep your gutter system free flowing once again.

Check for any damages on the gutter.After a gutter cleaning assignment, inspect the gutters for any damages such as holes, corrosion, cracks and warps. Early signs of damage are easily overlooked but could lead to costly repairs if left unattended. The earlier these problems are fixed, the least likely they will lead to problems in the future.

About the Author

Having problems with your gutter system? Learn the best gutter cleaning tips you can use for an easy DIY weekend project. Or if you don?t have the time, try Easy Fall Rainwater Systems .

Written by: Dan on August 22, 2011.

Posted by Dan on Monday, August 22, 2011 at 4:05 pm?
Filed under Cleaning Tips and Tools ? Tagged with Broom, Careful, Cleaning Gutters, Cleaning Tips, Cleaning Tips and Tools, Climbing The Ladder, Drains, Dry Leaves, Garden Hose, Gutter, gutter cleaning, homeowners, Important Tools, Leaf Blower, Owning A Home, Rainwater, Roofing, Scaffolding, Sharp Objects, Solid Surface, Specialized Tools, tips, Warp, Work Gloves, Work Shoes

Source: http://www.theyellowads.com/home_improvement/the-careful-homeowners-gutter-cleaning-tips

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