Sometimes we put off jobs because they seem difficult and dangerous. Gutter cleaning and maintenance is probably at the top of the procrastination list, but gutters should be cleaned twice a year if possible. Spring cleaning, after the seeds and helicopters come down, is the most important. Many seeds float and quickly make their way down the downspout where it will clog up in no time. In the fall, the weather can change quickly and the cold and damp are miserable and dangerous for climbing stairs. I have been in the gutter repair and maintenance business for over five years and I can tell you that late spring cleaning is critical to annual gutter maintenance. We’ll look at some simple tools and methods that will make the job a little less scary and a little easier to do.
The biggest tool, of course, is the ladder. I’ve found that an extension ladder is the best type for gutter cleaning because you can walk over the gutter and look down. Don’t worry about scratching the gutter. The liners they use on the gutters are very tough and very few people will openly criticize you for a couple of marks on your gutters. Safety is your primary concern and you don’t want to blindly reach back and over the edge of the gutter. Climbing on the roof should also be avoided: the slope of the roof is very difficult to work on and worse if you are leaning over the edge. Shingles are easy to crack and your boots will chip off the small stones and decrease the life of the roof. You’ll also need a flat shim big enough to support one foot of the ladder so it’s level; a heavy pair of rubber work gloves and a belt hook for carrying a small hoe. Your local hardware store will have many of these items, but go to the yellow pages and look for a ladder and scaffolding supply store. You will be pleased to find many products that the big box stores cannot carry. And remember to wear lace-up boots over the ankles.
An extension ladder that extends 14 feet is good for a single story and at least 24 feet for a two story home. Stairs will have instructions on the side that should be followed closely. The small garden hoe should be no more than three inches wide and the handle should be no more than two feet long. This will be easy to carry on a belt clip or other utility belt. Thick rubber gloves are needed to prevent cuts from numerous sharp screws and edges inside the gutter. Gloves will also keep your hands clean and dry (a real boon in the cold!).
Start at the end of the gutter opposite the downspout. Work your way out by extending the hoe, but always keep your shoulders inside the vertical rails of the ladder. You should be able to safely reach three to four feet of gutter on each side at a time. Be very careful when cleaning over the downspout. Don’t drag the hoe through the opening, instead use your fingers to gently reach under the leaves and seeds, push them in and pull them out. I don’t bother with a hose. Hoses are dangerous and unwieldy on a ladder and just make things slippery. The hose will also wash too much solid material into the upper elbows at one time, clogging them. Just leave the bits that don’t come off with your hand so they can be gently washed away by the rain. Remember that your gutters are not a surgical operating room. I would never use a leaf blower because these will just push leaves and seed down the downspout and being on the roof shaking heavy equipment sounds like a mess!
The best thing about using an extension ladder is being able to look down the downspout. Hit it a few times and you’ll know if it’s clogged. Of all the gutters and downspouts I’ve seen, these top elbows are the worst places for plugs. If the elbows are riveted together (a rivet looks like a small flat disk with a small hole in the center), you will need to drill it out with a 1/8 drill bit using a cordless drill/driver. Downspouts can also be screwed down with self-drilling screws that have ¼-inch hex heads. Elbows may have multiple rivets or screws and are sometimes difficult to separate. In some cases, you will need to disassemble the entire downspout by removing the straps. Elbows and purlins can be reassembled with self-drilling screws (color-matched screws are available at gutter and siding supply houses).
So now you’re ready to keep your gutters clean and flowing freely. If you haven’t spent much time on ladders, start by leaning the ladder against your house or garage and practice a bit; have the feeling of being on a ladder; the stairs are flexible and will bounce around a bit. Start with easy access gutters around the garage and first floor; then work your way up to the higher levels. Use the flat wedge to wedge the ladder if it is not perpendicular to the ground. Again, follow the instructions that come with the ladder.
