Easy Gutter Cleaning

Cleaning the gutters on your home can be a frustrating and difficult task. Before pulling out your ladder and hose, make sure you know the proper way to clean your gutters.

The most straightforward way to clean gutters is to place a ladder against your house, climb high enough to see into the gutters, scoop out and discard all debris. Begin at the farthest end of the house, working your way toward the downspout. Use a garden hose to rinse the gutters.

Flush the downspout with the hose, and the debris should come out the bottom. If the downspout is so clogged that it cannot be flushed, you will need to insert a probe into the downspout to dislodge the clog. A "plumber's snake," available at most hardware stores, works well for this. Also use this opportunity to make any repairs to your gutters. Replace any missing nails or screws, and repair any cracks or leaks using silicone caulk.

It is easy to just throw the debris you pull out of the gutter on your lawn, but it is likely that you will forget to clean it up. Cleaning up the debris is also much easier if you plan ahead. Instead of throwing it to the lawn below, tie a trash bag to the ladder where you will be working. As you work, you will be able to place the debris directly in the bag instead of raking it up later.