Completing a professional gutter cleaning

Gutter clearing can help to protect your home from heavy rainfall by redirecting rainwater into your drains rather than into your home’s foundations or onto external brickwork. Gutters can get clogged with various types of debris, including leaves and sticks from nearby trees so it is vital you check your gutters from time to time to prevent property damage. At Busy Bees Window Cleaning, we are able to take on the dirty and time-consuming task of gutter cleaning so you don’t have to. If you want to take on the task yourself however, we have a step-by-step guide of how to complete the work. We would advise that you complete gutter clearing at least once a year, but if you have overhanging trees you may want to consider more frequent clearing.

Step-by-step guide to gutter clearing

Step 1

Equip yourself with the right equipment. For gutter clearing you will need a strong, extendable ladder, a tarp, a garden hose, a gutter scoop, and clothes you are happy to get dirty.

Step 2

Place your ladder on sturdy ground. Make sure to ensure it is safely placed and that the ground will not shift. Also, make sure you have someone on hand to hold your ladder to ensure safety. You can use a ladder stabiliser for additional safety while also protecting your gutters.

Step 3

Spread a tarp under your guttering to protect the ground below from debris.

Step 4

Clean dirt off the roof first with a brush or hose otherwise the debris could be washed down into the gutter from your roof the next time it rains.

Step 5

Remove dirt from your gutters using a gutter scoop. Gutter scoops should be available at hardware stores, but alternatively a children’s sandbox shovel or a plastic kitchen spatula would also do the trick. Make sure not to use a metal scoop as this can cause gutter damage.

Step 6

Unclog the downspouts. You can check if they are clogged by running water through them using a hose. If it is blocked you can try tapping the sides of the downspout to knock the debris loose. If this doesn’t work, you may need to disconnect the downspout to find the debris and remove it.

Step 7

Use a garden hose to clean out the remaining dirt. You can use this as a chance to check if there are any leaks.

Step 8

Once you have completed the gutter cleaning you can repair any damage to your guttering to ensure that you have no issues with your gutters in the future.