Gutter Cleaning Tips For Multi-Story Homes
Cleaning gutters is a chore that’s easy to overlook, but it’s important because clogged gutters can lead to water damage and leaky roofs. Plus, the debris that builds up in them promotes the growth of mildew and mold, which can be harmful to your health. Click here for more info.
It can also stain the siding of a house and deteriorate roofing shingles. Fortunately, there are several tools that can make the job easier and less time-consuming.
1. Extendable Pole
The gutter system on a multi-story home can pose challenges when it comes to cleaning. Several methods can help with accessing high gutters, including ladders, extension poles, and scaffolding. Each has its own set of challenges when it comes to safety and ensuring thorough cleaning.
Ladders can be unstable on uneven ground, while extension poles and scaffolding require a great deal of time to set up. One solution that helps to address these issues is a telescoping pole with gutter cleaning attachments, which allows homeowners to clean their home’s gutters without the need for ladders. These attachments can be used with any type of extension pole and include tools like scoops, brushes, or sprayers. The ergonomic design of these tools can also reduce arm and body strain.
2. Wet/Dry Vacuum Attachment
Gutter cleaning machines, or vacs, are powerful tools that allow for the safe and easy removal of wet and dry debris. They’re a great option for homeowners who are fearful of ladders or want to skip the precarious rooftop balancing act.
A gutter vacuum resembles a standard home vacuum, but it’s designed to extract large debris from gutters and usually comes in a wet/dry model to accommodate both dry and wet materials. These vacuums come with extensions that can be used to reach higher spots.
Vacuuming is a more efficient and effective alternative to hand cleaning, which can be time-consuming, physically challenging, and may require multiple trips up and down the ladder. Gutter vacs also facilitate regular gutter maintenance and proper waste disposal, adhering to environmental standards.
3. Gutter Brush
As homeowners continue to seek solutions for ensuring efficient water removal, gutter brushes and guards have emerged as viable options. Both work to prevent the clogging of gutters by keeping out leaves, pine needles, and twigs that can block the flow of rainwater.
A gutter brush resembles a large, heavy-duty bottle brush with bristles that are twisted in wire and set in your gutter system to block larger debris while still allowing the passage of water. The center is typically a galvanized steel wire to avoid rusting and provides heft for the bristles so they can withstand harsh weather conditions.
While large debris like twigs and helicopter seeds deflect from the gutter brushes and blow away, smaller leaves and dirt may build up in the bristles and create an immovable clog until they are removed. Therefore, periodic cleaning is still necessary for gutter brushes.
4. Spoons and Scoops
Gutters are designed to direct the flow of rainwater and melted snow away from your home, but they can get jammed up with leaves and debris. Gutter cleaning is important to keep them in good condition and working properly, so they don’t contribute to roof leaks and foundation damage.
Gutter cleaners use a variety of tools to make the job as quick and painless as possible. These spoons and scoops screw onto the end of a painting extension pole or broomstick, making them easy to use from a ladder. They also have holes that allow water to strain through, and the plastic construction is durable and lightweight. They are available at most hardware stores. You can even find ones that are marketed as ergonomic, which is always a plus.
5. Cream of Tartar
Gutter cleaning minimizes basement flooding, and mildew growth, and protects home decor, electronics, and other valuables housed in the space. Regular gutter cleaning also helps to extend the lifespan of roof materials.
For moderate stains, a solution of white vinegar and warm water can be used to break down the grime and remove it from the surface of your gutters. This homemade solution is also eco-friendly and safe for your plants and soil.
For tougher stains, try a mixture of cream of tartar and baking soda. This pantry ingredient has powerful cleaning properties and can be mixed with warm water to form a paste. This paste can be applied to the stains and scrubbed with a brush to remove stubborn dirt and grime. The solution can be rinsed off once the gutters are clean. Continue reading the next article.
