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Why
Cleaning Your Gutters and
Downspouts is important |
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The main reason for maintaining and cleaning your
gutters and downspouts is to prevent damage this is
very important.
Because a lot of damage can be caused not just to
the gutters them selves.
If to much debris gets in your gutters and they
don't drain When it rains
the weight of the water could cause them to loosen.
Then you can end up with damage to your home’s
interior due to flooding through the foundation and
walls or leaks in the roof due to seepage of water.
There are many ways to protect your gutters. with
gutter covers. If in a cold clement heat
strips are very important. Here are a few
examples. Gutters and downspouts should be cleaned
and checked for signs of necessary repairs at least
twice a year. Typically, the best times to do this
are late spring and late fall. If you suspect a
problem or live in an extremely rainy climate, then
perhaps, you should check them more frequently.
Leaf-catching gutter systems are highly touted by
manufacturers, but most are not a complete solution.
Debris eventually settles through them, and the
screens must be removed to clean out the gutters.
Also, some systems are very expensive. If you opt to
buy a leaf-catching system, be sure it can be easily
removed for cleaning.
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Before you even think about cleaning your gutters.
You need to have the proper tools and the proper
sense on how to use them.
Here is a list of the tool's you will need
1. A roofing extension ladder make sure it is in
good condition.
2. A good pair of working gloves water resistance
would be best.
3. A garden trowel or hand spade, or what ever
you would like to use to remove the debris out of
the gutters.
4. Some heavy duty trash bags to put the debris in.
Or you can use a bucket and s-hook to attach to your
ladder.
5. A garden hose of the correct length with a
sprayer attachment.
6. A plumbers Snake. Witch will be needed if your
down spouts are clogged.
A few things to think about before getting started.
If you are handy and your roof isn't to steep and
you own a leaf blower. You can blow the dry leafs
out of your gutters if so use
goggles and a dust mask.
When cleaning gutters, wear heavy work gloves to
protect your hands since gutters often have sharp
metal parts or screw points sticking out.
You can hire a service to clean your gutters, but
doing the work yourself can save a lot of money.
Many places sell accessories for your gutters and
downspouts that can effectively lessen the time
needed to complete the task of cleaning the gutters
and downspouts.
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OK
Ready Lets Lets get Started
Picture-1
Down Spout
Starting at a drain outlet at the low end of a
gutter, use a narrow garden trowel to scoop out
loose debris, working away from the drain outlet.
To minimize cleanup later, you can scoop the debris
into a plastic garbage-can liner.
Picture-2 Snaking Spout only
if necessary
If you can not clean it out from the bottom or
the top then you will need the snake to take out the
debris.
Picture-3 Before Cleaning
Choose a sturdy ladder, and place it on a firm,
level base. A tall stepladder can be easier to use
than an extension ladder.
If you must lean an extension ladder against a
gutter, protect the gutter from bending by placing a
short piece of 2 by 4 inside it. Stand on the ladder
with your hips between the rails, and don’t lean out
over the sides.
Set the ladder on a level place.
If you are using a bucket attached
it to the ladder
with the s-hook for collecting the debris.
Otherwise, secure a plastic trash bag to collect the
debris.
This will make for easy clean up later.
Put work gloves on to protect your hands
from any sharp objects in the gutters and
downspouts. The gloves will also help to keep your
hands clean.
Picture-4 Time to get the
debris out of your gutters.
Begin at the part of the gutter closest to the
downspout. Use the garden trowel or hand spade
to scoop out the debris. Place it into the bucket or
trash bag. If any pieces resist being scooped up,
remove them carefully by hand. If you are planning
of disposing of the debris into your compost pile,
then you need to have a separate trash receptacle
for metal objects such as roofing nails. After all
debris
is removed.
Set up your garden hose.
Picture-5 Hosing time
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.
If the downspout
is clogged, you will need to clear it. Three options
are available to you. Simply try each one until you
find one that works. It’s probably easiest to begin
by using the spray attachment on the hose to direct
water into the downspout from the bottom end. This
may force any clogs loose. Additionally, you can use
the spray attachment on the hose to direct water
into the downspout from the upper end. This may also
knock the clog loose. If that does not work, then
you need to work a plumber’s snake into the
downspout to loosen the debris and draw the debris
out.
Shown in picture-2
free and pull out the debris from
the
bottom.
Picture-6 You are done
Now would be a good time to Inspect the gutters and
downspouts for any
signs of damage. Look for holes, dents, or
cracks. If you discover any signs of damage,
repair them as soon as possible. And before putting
your covers back if you have any.
The Roofing Doctor |
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