TIME TO CLEAN THOSE GUTTERS

Trouble with your gutters recently? Follow our advice to get them back in working order.

Without healthy gutters you could be faced with foundation issues, leaking windows, or wet basements and crawlspaces. While not requiring a great deal of attention, keeping your gutters healthy is essential for a foundation healthy home. Our following advice will help you keep your gutters healthy for longer.

(NOTE: While we believe in a bit of DIY here at Fisks, safety always comes first. If you don’t like heights, suffer from vertigo, or don’t have a sufficient ladder, always hire a professional for this job. If your home is more than a single-storey in height, always hire a professional to do the work for you to avoid any risk.)

HOW DO I CLEAN MY GUTTERS FROM THE GROUND?

If you’re looking to keep both feet on the ground, the good news is that there are several gutter-cleaning tools that allow you to do this. Tools such as the Guttermaster, which has an extendable curved pole that connects to your garden hose is a great choice. Head to your local DIY superstore for further advice and help on finding the right tools for the job.

HOW DO I CLEAN MY GUTTERS SAFELY ON A LADDER?

If you have a single-storey home, then you may want to clean your gutters from a` ladder to get a better view of the job at hand. First things first, don’t use a stepladder, they are prone to tipping over if you get off balance. Instead, use an extension ladder and have somebody holding it at the bottom. Grab yourself an empty bucket and scoop as much debris as possible along the gutters with a narrow garden trowel or a gloved hand. Give your gutters a hose after to make sure they’re working as they should be. Use a stiff brush to remove any stubborn grime.

If you notice an obstruction in your drainpipes, direct your garden hose down the pipe to try and dislodge it - insert a plumber’s auger to clear any obstructions if this doesn’t work.

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO CLEAN MY GUTTERS?

If there’s no issues, then once a year should be sufficient - after the leaves fall in autumn is ideal.

CAN I CLEAN MY GUTTERS WITH A LEAF BLOWER?

If you’re confident on a ladder, have someone helping you, and your gutters are single-storey height, then ‘yes’, you can. If you own a leaf blower, you’ll know that many come with a nozzle attachment designed to release a powerful air stream, which is perfect for blasting debris out of the gutter. Remember, don’t forget to block the downspout with a rag or old towel first so they don’t get blocked up with blowing debris.

CAN I CLEAN MY GUTTERS WITH A POWER WASHER?

If your gutters are in a good stable condition, then ‘yes’. This one can get a little messy, but if you follow the same steps as our leaf blower suggestion above (minus the rag or old towel down the downsprout), you’ll have clean gutters in no time at all.

WHERE CAN I FIND A PROFESSIONAL TO CLEAN MY GUTTERS?

Websites such as TrustATrader will allow you to have access to professionals in your area. Remember, get a few quotes if you have time as there is no set price when it comes to cleaning gutters and you don’t want to be ripped off.