Cleaning Gutters

Cleaning gutters is a dirty job, but you’ve got to do it—and the best time to do it is now before snowy season hits. Yes, I know it’s a hassle, but if you let this chore go, it can cause serious damage to your garden and your home.

Cleaning gutters is a dirty job, but you’ve got to do it—and the best time to do it is now before snowy season hits. Yes, I know it’s a hassle, but if you let this chore go, it can cause serious damage to your garden and your home.

Cleaning rain gutters isn’t as difficult as it is messy and time consuming. There are several ways to get the job done, but the most effective is to do it by hand, on a ladder so you can inspect the gutters for cracks and damage as you go. The best tools for the job are a tall sturdy ladder, a bucket or bag, a garden hose, some waterproof gloves and a garden trowel.

Start at the end of the gutter closest to the downspout. Remove leaves from the gutter with your trowel or gloved hand and place them in the bucket/bag. Use the hose to rinse in the direction of the downspout until all debris is flushed away. Then climb on down the ladder and move over slightly; climb up and repeat the process all over again. Every time, make sure to remove as much as you can be hand to prevent clogging the downspout.

In addition to late fall gutter cleaning, you should do it again in late spring.

Wondering what to do with those leaves?>>>

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