Your home’s drainage system is an integral part of keeping your roof and home free from water damage. For your gutters and downpipes to work effectively, they will need to be cleaned and maintained.
Neglecting your home’s gutters could lead to blockages and damage and may eventually require gutter replacement Melbourne property owners can vouch for. Roofing specialists will not replace damaged gutters but will also provide cleaning and maintenance services.
Gutter Cleaning Should be a Breeze
Gutters are designed to allow water to flow freely off your roof. When water flows off the roof, it eliminates the risk of water damage.
Certain factors determine how often you’ll need to do maintenance, including the following:
- How often you clean your gutters
- Whether or not you have trees that shed leaves on the roof
- General condition of your gutters
When gutters are blocked, the flow of rainwater is hampered. These few simple tips will help you get the cleaning process started.
1. The Right Tools are Essential
The golden rule for cleaning your gutter yourself is to use the right tools to ensure that cleaning is done safely and effectively. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Strong, safe ladder: Some people prefer not to use a ladder for a single-story building, as it may be easier to just use a pressure washer or long hose. However, using a sturdy ladder is an efficient way to ensure that you can see and reach all the gunk that may be up there. Make sure the ladder is sturdy and safe.
- Safety gear: It might sound a bit far-fetched to put on PPE to sweep out the gutters, but this is by far the safest option. Non-slip rubber-soled boots, eye protection (to guard against dust), and well-fitting rubber gloves are good starting points. Keep in mind that loose nails and other components can be rusty and may cause injury.
- Small hand trowel: This will make it easier to scrape out stubborn gutter buildup.
- Hard-bristled broom or hard-bristled brush: This is often a top way to clear out loose debris and loose sand from the gutters and tiles.
- Pressure washer: Using a pressure washer is often the easiest way to blast off stubborn dirt and debris. It’s also a very effective way to clean roof tiles.
- Waste bags: These will be used to collect the moss, leaves, twigs and other debris that may have accumulated in the gutters.
2. First, Clean the Roof
Step 1 should always be to start with the roof. This is because the bulk of the debris in your gutter runs down from the roof. Use the hard-bristle brush to remove any loose dirt and debris. You could pick up as you go along, or you could use a garden blower to blow the dirt into the gutter and then scoop everything out of the gutter.
3. Clear Out the Gutters and Downpipes
Organic materials such as leaves, dirt and debris can accumulate in the gutter over time. If water isn’t able to flow through unhindered, the debris can become hard and gunky. Before using the power washer to blast the dirt off, remove as much of it as possible by hand.
This will ensure that less of it is washed down into the downpipes and drains, where it can also create blockages. For stubborn dirt, use the hand trowel to scrape it loose. While you’re cleaning, be sure to check for loose nails and screws. You should also check that the gutters are still secure and don’t have holes or rust.
4. Invest in a Cleaning Solution
The cleaner your gutters are the less frequently you will have to clean them. With this in mind, many homeowners use an outdoor cleaning solution to remove any bacteria and dirt during pressure washing. Opting for a strong outdoor roof cleaning solution will also remove any airborne pollutants such as grease, oil or tar that may have ended up on the roof or in the gutter.
5. Clear Out the Downpipes and Drains
The section of the guttering system that leads to the ground is called a downpipe and keeping this clean is equally important. This is so that water and debris can pass through unhindered. You will also need to clean any drains under the downpipe to ensure there’s no blockages.
Use your hand trowel to dig out leaves, moss, twigs and soil. Your pressure washer should also have attachments that you can use to quickly clear out drain blockages. Washing the drains with a good, antibacterial drain cleaner will reduce bacteria, moss, mould and mildew growth. You can also reduce the amount of cleaning you need to do by opting for gutter guards, which are designed to keep debris out of the gutter.
Final Thoughts
The average Australian home will only need its gutters to be cleared out once or twice a year. Maintenance required will depend on the condition of the roof and the area where you live. Gutters in high rainfall areas may require more extensive cleaning. Use our expert tips to make the process as simple as possible!
