Gutters stuffed with leaves and other debris can lead to an overflow of dirt that makes for damaged and unsightly gutters. Cleaning them can be a dangerous chore, requiring a ladder which can lead to serious injury. Consider several options for cleaning your gutters without the use of a ladder.
1. Blower
Materials:
- Shop Vacuum or Leaf Blower
- Rigid extension tube
How to use: Attach all the parts and turn the blower on and run the tube along the outside of the gutter. This will clean any surface dirt.
Drawbacks:
- Overtaxing a leaf blower for a dual use
- Debris inside the gutters may blow out over the area
- Will only clean surface dirt
- Must stop regularly to pick up flying debris
2. Car Brush w/Extension Pole
Materials:
- Pole
- Mid-length car brush
- Electrical tape (adheres in wet conditions)
- Large janitorial bucket
- All-purpose cleaner
- Garden hose
How to use: Attach the car brush to the end of an extension pole with electrical tape. Immerse the car brush in the bucket of soapy water and extend it up to the gutters. Begin to slide it across the exterior gutter area to clean. Rinse with a hose.
Drawbacks:
- Leaves and debris falls to the ground or grass and needs to be picked up and bagged
- Car brushes are not made for surface gutter sizes and areas will be left unclean
- If not secured properly, the car brush will come loose and fall off or move around excessively
3. Gutter Flusher
Material:
- High-pressure power washer (Curved apparatus)
- Garden hose
- Extendable metal poles
How to use it: Attach the garden hose to the metal pole or poles that will make it long enough to reach your gutters. Then, attach the power washer attachment to the end of the pole. Turn on the pressurized water and run it along the exterior of your gutters.
Drawbacks:
- Water pressure could loosen or damage gutters causing them to break free from the perimeter of the house
- Any debris in the gutters will become wet and smell after a few days
- Pressurized hose may be hard to maneuver across the gutters
4. Gutter Pads
Material:
- Pad Applicator
- Painter’s Pole
- Large janitorial bucket
- All-purpose cleaner
How to use: Attach the pad applicators to a painting pole. Immerse the pad applicators in a large bucket of soapy water. Push the pad applicator along the exterior of the gutters.
Drawbacks:
- Debris and protruding nails may get caught up in the pads and may rip them
- Depending on your gutter size, pads may be too large or small to clean entire exterior
5. Mop Cleaning
Material:
- Window Cleaning extension pole
- Mop head or Mop with a handle
- Large janitorial bucket
- All-purpose cleaner
- Garden hose
How to use: Take the mop head or handled mop and attach it to an extension pole with electrical tape or with a mop head, two screws fitted on either end of the extension pole. Then, immerse the mop in the bucket of soapy water and extend it back up to the exterior of the gutter and slide it along to clean. Rinse off with a hose. For some gutters, a mop head, as opposed to a car brush, may be more form fitting to the gutter size and easier to use when cleaning.
Drawbacks:
- Mops are soft and may not be able to clean tough stains
- Debris from inside the gutters will get caught up in the mop fibers
- May be cumbersome to maneuver in and out of the bucket
If you’re needing help with your gutters or just need a second opinion on how to clean, call American Hill Country Gutters at (210) 665-5500.
