Just like cleaning house gutters puts you at risk of ladder falls so does cleaning outside of the gutters.
Tips cleaning aluminum gutters.
Gutters accumulate dirt and debris over time and the most crucial task is to clean them.
Start the flush with medium pressure at a point farthest from the downspout and let it run for 10 or 15 minutes.
However aluminum gutters do require a bit of special care including not scrubbing them with a metal brush and being careful not to crush them with a ladder.
They ve moved to aluminum and vinyl gutters now and they don t rust.
Gutters come in several types including vinyl aluminum and painted surfaces.
You might want to consider new gutters.
There are a few steps you can take to make yourself safe while tackling this dangerous task.
First and foremost follow these ladder safety tips to ensure you remain safe while cleaning outside of the gutters.
When possible avoid cleaning gutters after a rain.
If you re going to be cleaning your gutters there are a few basic safety tips that you can follow to make sure that you are safe and your gutter cleaning expedition doesn t turn into a trip to the hospital with a broken arm.
Make sure the cleaner you choose is recommended for your gutter type.
The real key is to avoid hitting the gutters at too high an angle or you ll blow the shingles off with a high pressure stream of water.
Aluminum readily welcomes a solution of warm water and acetic acid more commonly found in the kitchen as white vinegar after scooping the gunk from your gutters with the trowel mix a bucketful of solvent using 1 cup of vinegar for every 3 gallons of water.
As water flows through the system watch gutters and downspouts for any signs of leaks.
Clean your gutters using cleaning agents or solvents which are marketed and sold under the tsp pf label.
Vinyl and painted gutters are harder to clean while painted ones need careful attention to avoid removing the paint.
Here are a few time tested tips to help you clean and maintain your gutters.
Start your gutter cleaning task near the downspout and work toward the closed end.
With a ladder and a few supplies your gutters will be clean in just a few hours.
If the gutters are rusting they are very old.
If painted gutters show wear or bare metal repaint and allow to dry before.
For those new to buying and using cleaner products tsp pf stands for trisodium phosphate phosphate free which implies that the product possesses the cleaning and degreasing qualities of the component trisodium phosphate but does not cause the harmful effects of phosphates.
Finish cleaning gutters and spouts with a steady rinse from the garden hose.
Gutter cleaning safety tips.
Choose a good ladder.