Regularly clearing your gutters is crucial if you want to prevent material from building up and causing blockages – which can lead to a hefty repair bill.
By staying up to date on gutter maintenance, you also prevent moisture problems in your home, such as water damage or mold.
Below we share advice from a Which one? Trusted trader on how to effectively clean your gutters once or twice a year, and what to do if your pipes become clogged.
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For advice on gutter cleaning, we contacted Lee Wiltshire, company director at London Gutter Clean Ltd. The company is a Which? Trusted Trader and has a five-star customer rating on our website.
Founded in 2011, the family-owned business provides residential and commercial gutter cleaning, repair and replacement services.
Why is it important to clean gutters?
Climbing a ladder and cleaning your gutters is certainly not the most exciting task in the world, but it is easier than dealing with water damage. A clear gutter allows rainwater to flow freely, preventing it from pooling under the shingles.
Lee says: ‘Neglected gutters tend to accumulate excess weight due to moss and standing water, leading to increased pressure on all components, especially at critical points such as joints, corners and end caps.
“This additional burden can shorten the life of your gutter system.”
How often should gutters be cleaned?
Lee recommends getting into the habit of cleaning your gutters at least once or twice a year. However, the frequency may vary depending on your environment and the condition of your roof.
Lee says, “Some lucky homeowners may find that they can go a few years between cleanings. However, if you have trees nearby or a lot of moss on your roof, you may need to clean the gutters more often.”
By visiting Which one? Trusted tradersyou can find a professional near you. Read our piece to find out more how much roofers cost.
What is the best way to clean your gutter?
If you are confident that you can climb a ladder and it is firmly on the ground, you can clean your gutters yourself. Ideally, you will have someone holding the bottom of the ladder for extra stability.
Don’t lean too far to reach blockages while on the ladder.
Clean by hand
‘In many cases we prefer to clean by hand. Try to use an extension pole with gutter attachments that will fit most shapes,” says Lee.
‘If ladder work is not feasible, we also use gutter vacuum cleaners. These are excellent tools, although they can struggle to thoroughly clear debris, especially in the tight corners of gutters or the goosenecks of downspouts.”
Putting on gardening gloves and using a trowel can also help you clean up any dirt, which you can drop into a bucket. Once you have worked along the length of the gutter and it is clear, use a hose to rinse it out.
See our guide to the best garden hoses and hose guns for resources to help.
Can you use a pressure washer to clean your gutters?
Leading manufacturers such as Karcher do not recommend using a pressure washer while on a ladder for safety reasons. Additionally, experts say that a high-pressure water blast can cause damage to your gutters and roofing materials.
Instead, you can find specially designed gutter cleaning attachments that you can use in conjunction with a pressure washer that can be operated safely from the ground. These often have to be purchased separately.
When used correctly, pressure washers can help loosen loose debris in the gutters.
Lee says: ‘Typically, gutters are filled with leaves and moss, making pressure washing a messy option that can complicate rather than simplify the task. If necessary, we do use high-pressure cleaners with a gutter cleaning attachment.’
We tested pressure washers from Bosch, Karcher, Nilifisk, Ryobi and more. Check out our guide to the high-scoring models best pressure washers.
What if your pipes are clogged?
The team at London Gutter Clean Ltd recommend cleaning the downspouts next to your gutters.
Lee explains: ‘If you discover blockages below ground level it is usually best to call in a drainage specialist as these problems can be serious. However, as a DIY solution you can try to clear small blockages with a drain cleaning hose from your pressure washer.’
If you don’t feel confident going up and down ladders, your gutters are badly clogged, or your home has succumbed to water damage, it’s time to call in an expert.
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