
How to Clean your Gutters
At Midland Hardware, we like to help our customers with general DIY advice when we can. In this quick article we will look at maintaining and cleaning gutters.
Clean gutters are an essential part of keeping your home dry, avoiding leaks and avoiding dampness in your home. Typical Irish winters mean that there is lots of rain and windy weather.
It’s a wise decision to make sure your home is prepared and there are no blockages in your guttering system. Although there are plenty of professional cleaners throughout Ireland who can clean your gutters, if you have access to a ladder, this can easily be done by anyone.
If you are thinking of doing it yourself, there are some things to keep in mind.
Three easy steps to keep your gutters at their best.
1.) First of all, the gutters should be cleared out first. The leaves should be removed and then the rest needs to be washed away with a hose. There are plenty of tools that are designed to make this job easier. Make sure that all leaf debris is cleared from downpipes. Collect these in a bucket and add to the composting box.
2.) The gutters need to be scrubbed with a brush or cloth that has been soaked in soapy water. Giving the gutters a quick wash will ensure that all small leaves will be removed and that moss will not build up over the winter months. This will also ensure that the gutters look clean and the home looks well.
3.) Finally, the soapy water needs to be hosed off and rinsed away. At this point, it’s also good to check that drains are clear and water has the chance to run off and not build up when heavy rainfall arrives.
More Tips & Tricks To Make Your Gutter-Cleaning Process Easier
The most important thing to keep in mind is to clean your gutters twice a year.
Gutters are crucial for draining water away from your house. So if they’re not cleaned on a regular basis, there may be major damage done to your home. This will build up over time and could be costly to rectify later.
Some tips that you can use for cleaning up the gutters include:
- Coat them with soapy water before scrubbing them with a brush.
- Avoid using any more soap than necessary (it can clog the gutter).
- Wear gloves while you’re handling chemicals, especially if they contain bleach or other acids.
If you need any tools, or you would like some advice from our friendly staff, drop into our Laois Hardware store. We are always more than happy to assist in any way we can.