Spring is in full swing and many home owners have been partaking in the normal cleaning routine for the season. One aspect of spring cleaning often overlooked? Gutters. Failing to clean your gutters properly can result in home damage, particularly your roof. Additionally, unattended debris can serve as a structural and fire hazard.
Here are some guidelines to help you get those gutters cleaned and your drainage operating properly this season:
1. Collect your supplies: For the standard job, you should only need a ladder, a bucket, a hose, and any sort of small plastic shovel or scoop to help you along the way. (Optional – a brush and some non-toxic cleaning solution)
2. Set up your ladder in a secure fashion: We recommend always having a spotter at the bottom of the ladder just in case it slips loose. The last thing you want is to get injured while cleaning.
3. Take one initial pass down the side of the home: Move your ladder in the appropriate direction each time you extend to arm’s reach (don’t overextend). Scoop out debris and place it in the bucket.
4. Dispose of debris: When finished removing the initial debris, add it to your compost pile or find a space on your property to dispose of it in a convenient manner. (If you don’t have a compost pile, gutter debris would make a great start to one!)
5. Clean off buildup: Those of you concerned with the appearance of your gutters can make another pass along using the same bucket, but this time filled with cleaning solution. Scrub your gutters to get rid of any buildup.
6. Rinse your gutters: This will ensure they are draining properly as well as wash off any cleaning solution if you decided to move forward with scrubbing.
We hope these instructions were helpful. Though a relatively easy task, it’s one forgotten far too often.
If you are interested in partaking in a bit more than a “sprucing up” this season, contact us for all of your NJ home remodeling and home addition project needs!
