How to Properly Clean your Rain Gutters to Avoid Storm Water Damage

10/16/2020 (Permalink)

Dirty Rain Gutter Buildup from Tree Leaves

Potential Water Damage from Rain Gutter Buildup

We have had some relatively mild monsoon seasons here in Mesa AZ over the past 2 years. The obvious issue that comes along with that are lack of water issues for plants, trees, etc. Not to mention the increased fire risk issues. One thing that may get overlooked, though, is the water damage risk that is due to build up in rain gutters. Usually, regular rainfall will clean out the rain gutter system of tree leave, small branches, dirt and other debris. When water from rainfall doesn’t clean that system out and the rain gutters become full it causes a risk of water overflow that can cause roof damage and water damage from water overflow in parts of the rain gutter system that become dammed up. In order to avoid this situation the rain gutters should be cleaned out at least yearly.

In this blog post we're going to cover how to clean your gutters properly and safely. Being the key and the things that you'll need to clean them.

Rain Gutter Cleaning Process

1. First, you're going to need a good set of gloves. 
2. Second, you're going to need yourself a good ladder depending on the height of the gutters. That will depend on the size of your ladder
3. The third thing you're going to need one of the most important things is going to be that ladder stabilizer, the stabilizer that we have up.
4.  The last thing you're going to need is a five-gallon bucket with something like a paint hook to attach it to the ladder so both of your hands are free..

For the ladder stabilizer you will want to get something similar to a corner buddy that stabilizes the ladder to the roof. It bolts onto the ladder, so it doesn't make a difference if the feet kick out on the ladder or if the latter slides left or right. With that stabilizer being up there, it's going to eliminate the risk of the ladder slipping out or going to the left or the right it keeps it secure up there. That's going to be the most important thing.

So, what you'll do. Is you get your bucket then you can hook it onto the ladder with a paint hook to free up both of your hands.So once you get your bucket, your hook, and your gloves, you're going up your ladder. (Make sure it is a nice strong and secure ladder.) Then you will just scoop the debris out of the rain gutter with a gloved hand and put it into the bucket. After you have gotten out all of the debris you are able to remove with your hand, you can use a brush to clean it further. The rain gutter doesn’t need to be immaculately clean, just clean enough to allow water to flow through easily. When you are done with the area that you are able to reach safely, get down off the ladder, move it over and start scooping again and keep going until the whole gutter is clean.