Cleaning Your Gutters: Tips & Advice

Cleaning out your gutters is never a fun task to tackle during January but someone has to do it. It's easy to overlook your guttering and put it off but it's important to clear them out as problems can occur if they are not looked after properly. Although we have been relatively lucky this winter with the weather, your gutters may have still been affected by the wind and rain we've received. Your poor gutters have no doubt been greeted with some uninvited visitors such as leaves, twigs and maybe even a bit of moss. We have put together some frequently asked questions on how to clean and maintain your guttering and downpipes, here's everything you need to know. Tip 1 - Give yourself a day to do the job safely, try and do it on a dry and clear day as well. If you have all the right tools for the job then this task is free too. Why is it important to look after your guttering? If your gutters aren't doing their job properly the exterior maintenance of your house will be compromised and nobody wants that. The reason for this is because gutters:

• Help guide rainwater off the roof and away from your home
• Prevent damage to walls, soffits, fascia, exterior paint and woodwork
• Help prevent any water settling around the foundation of your home
• Stop water getting into interior walls and basement

What kind of damage does broken guttering cause? Water can cause all kinds of problems once it gets into your home such as:

• Your woodwork perishes
• Mould begins to grow
• Condensation forms
• Damp patches spread
• Brickwork erodes
• Potential health problems can start

What are the common causes of problems with gutters? It can be a number of things such as:

• A blockage in the gutter
• Blockages in the downpipe
• A leak caused by damaged joints
• A sagging gutter caused by overloading, faulty brackets or screws

How do I clear a blocked gutter? One of the main things to remember is to work away from any down pipe to prevent debris being pushed down the pipe. If you have one, use a garden trowel to clean the gutter from any debris. Once this is done, fill up a bucket of water and pour down the gutter to make sure there are no leaks and that the gutter is free of everything. Tip 2 - If you can't reach your gutters safely, or you're unsure on what you are doing, contact a professional. How do I clear a blocked downpipe? Using an extendable drainage rod is a very effective way of removing debris. Start at the top and push the rod through the downpipe, dislodging any debris as you go. Make sure you cover the drain at the bottom of the downpipe otherwise the debris will go down the drain. How do I remove a section of pipe if the blockage persists?

• If there is still a blockage in your downpipe and you can't fish it out, try tapping down the pipe to listen for a solid sound, this will give you an idea of where the blockage is.
• Begin by removing the two screws that hold the lowest pipe clip that is holding the blocked section to the wall. Carefully remove the loose section of downpipe then use a piece of wire or bamboo to remove the blockage.

How do I fix a sagging gutter? Sagging gutters are generally caused by a broken gutter bracket, or too few brackets being fitted in the first place. What you can do is replace the damaged bracket or fit a new one under the sagging section. Tip 3 - If you don't feel comfortable doing any of the above, then call in a professional. How do I prevent blockages happening? There is a solution to prevent any blockages from occurring and that's by fitting wire mesh over your gutters. This allows water through but traps leaves and dirt. We hope these tips help you and as we mentioned before, if you don't think it's safe or you’re unsure on what to do, then contact a professional who can come to help.