Spring is officially in full swing and we couldn’t be happier! It’s a time of year when everything feels refreshed including the inside and outside of our homes. Everything in and surrounding our homes should be deep cleaned a few times per year and now is the perfect time to get those chores done.
While we lightly touched on how to clean your gutters this spring in a previous post about spring cleaning, we wanted to do a dedicated, in-depth post on how to deep clean them. Continue reading for step-by-step instructions so you can get those gutters sparkling clean and in the best possible condition to protect your home from drainage issues leading into the rainy season.
Why Do I Need to Clean My Gutters?
If you own a home and you’ve never cleaned your gutters then you may be wondering why and if you should. If gutters collect and flush water throughout the system then do you need to clean them? The answer is yes, you need to for them to function as properly as possible. But why is cleaning your gutters so important?
Think of it like this: your half-round gutters are completely exposed to the elements, including the exterior and interior of the gutter system. Every single piece of debris that finds its way into your gutter system is left to collect and build up over time, eventually creating a clog that inevitably impedes water flow. Since water can’t flow through the gutters then it’s left to flow over the gutters and spill onto walkways, patios, and around the home’s foundation. All of these issues can cause major damage like foundation damage, landscaping damage, and leaks to name a few.
How Often Should I Clean My Gutters?
According to the National Center for Healthy Housing, traditional gutter systems should be cleaned at least two times per year, more if your home is surrounded by trees or is in a climate that has severe weather like the Heartland.
A good rule of thumb is to clean your gutters in the spring and the fall. Cleaning them in the spring will allow you to remove all leaves that have fallen from dormant trees in the fall and winter while cleaning them each fall will remove debris to prep them for springtime blossoms and other organic matter and pests. Clean them no less than two times per year, more if your home is surrounded by pines and other large trees.
How to Deep Clean the Gutter System
Cleaning the gutter system is relatively easy, you just have to be very cautious since the use of a ladder is required. While easy, it is time-consuming, so expect to spend quite a bit of time cleaning your gutters multiple times per year. If you’re uncomfortable using a ladder please consult a professional gutter cleaning service. We want you to be as safe as possible!
If you do choose to clean your gutters yourself, follow these 4 steps:
Step #1
The first step to cleaning your gutter system is to gather all the materials you’ll need. Be sure you have the following items:
- Ladder (one that’s tall enough so that you’re able to look down into your gutters)
- Gloves
- Scoop
- Bucket
- Garden hose
- Plumber’s snake (optional)
Step #2
The gutter cleaning process starts with a fairly simple yet time-consuming step – remove all debris from the gutters. If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your gutter system then you’ll probably notice there are some leaves, pine needles, silt, and even some insects. Using your gloves, scoop, and bucket, remove as much debris as you can by hand.
Step #3
If you want to take your gutter cleaning to the next level, take a look at your downspouts. If they seem clogged (overflowing gutters, water trickling slowly out of the downspouts, etc.) then you’ll want to take a plumber’s snake and insert it into the corners of the downspouts. You should be able to remove debris like leaves and twigs that can easily clog the downspout.
Step #4
The final step to cleaning your half-round gutter system is to flush out any remaining debris. By flushing the gutter system with a garden hose, you’ll be able to remove the debris that’s hard to remove by hand (silt, small rocks, roof sediment, etc.).
Follow the steps above at least two times a year for cleaner gutters. Half-round gutters will catch debris and clog, so it’s best to clean them often to avoid severe clogs that lead to overflowing gutters, sagging gutters, basement flooding, and structural damage like foundation damage.
If you’re tired of cleaning your gutters and never want to complete the daunting task again then consider installing the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System. The K-Guard System is a complete system that has a curved hood that allows all debris like leaves and twigs to simply slide off rather than enter the system and create clogs. As a result, water can flow freely at a rapid pace. Making the switch to K-Guard also means you’ll never have to clean your gutter system again for the life of the home! Our gutter product is so durable that it will look new for decades, adding to your home’s beauty.
Contact our team today or call (913) 380-1616 to schedule your free estimate. We’ll examine your current gutter system and will offer an assessment as well as our recommendations for installing the K-Guard System in your home. We offer our gutter installation service to homeowners across both Missouri and Kansas including, but not limited to, the following locations: Kansas City, Overland Park, Topeka, Olathe, Shawnee, Independence, Lenexa, and Lee’s Summit.
