Cleaning the gutters is an important, but often somewhat neglected, part of property maintenance.
In autumn, gutters are easily clogged by leaves, needles and debris, which can lead to serious problems such as water accumulation in the house structures or even moisture damage to the foundations. Uncleaned gutters can also cause freezing problems in winter, which in the worst case can damage gutter structures.
But what is actually the best way to keep your gutters clean and functional? This article looks at how to clean gutters, how to maintain them in good time and what equipment to use when cleaning them.
Top 5 takeaways from the article
-Cleaning the gutters is important because clean gutters protect the building from moisture and structural damage
-Stuck gutters prevent rainwater from escaping in an orderly manner, allowing water to pool on the roof, run off along the cladding or stand around the foundations
-Cleaning the gutters is recommended 1-2 times a year, i.e. at least in autumn, and in spring if necessary
-We at Kourulle.com use by far the best tool on the market for cleaning gutters 3600W chimney vacuum cleaner, as well as a gutter cleaning brush and a gutter cleaner
-Gutter cleaning is an essential part of property maintenance and preventive maintenance, so in detached houses, housing associations, as well as in larger properties and factories.
- Why is gutter cleaning important?
- What to consider when cleaning gutters?
- What is the appropriate cleaning interval for gutters?
- When should you clean your gutters?
- What do you use to clean your gutters?
- What does gutter cleaning involve?
- Who is responsible for cleaning the gutters in your building?
- Sum total
- Sources
Why is gutter cleaning important?
Cleaning the gutters is important because clean gutters protect the building from moisture and structural damage.
Building gutters can easily contain, at worst, hundreds of kilos of fill if they are not cleaned regularly. This naturally puts a strain on the brackets and exposes the building to damage. Samuel Rosenmayer sums it up well in his article:
"When gutters fill up with leaves, sticks and other debris, the gutters can become blocked. This allows water to drain under the roof and eventually around the foundations. In winter, these debris-clogged gutters contribute to the formation of ice dams, while the blockage prevents melting snow and ice from draining down the right path from the roof."
Blocked gutters therefore prevent rainwater from escaping in an orderly manner, allowing water to pool on the roof, run off along the cladding or stand around the foundations.
What to consider when cleaning gutters?
Before starting work it is important to take into account the specific characteristics of the site, including the location, height and possible inaccessibility of the gutters. These will be used to select the tools and cleaning methods to be used.
One of the most important things to consider when cleaning gutters is job security. Me On the gutter.com we take safety into account right from the design stage. We use protective equipment and, if necessary, safety harnesses.
The work often requires either high-reaching tools or ladders, so ensuring a stable and ergonomic working posture is important. Like Glenda Taylor writes in the article, climbing high ladders is not the safest way to clean gutters, so it is a good idea to pay attention to the choice of tools.
"There are a number of gutter cleaning tools available that allow you to clean gutters safely from the ground."
What is the appropriate cleaning interval for gutters?
Suitable cleaning interval depends on the location and environment of the property, but the general recommendation is every six months. If the building is located in an area with a lot of trees, it may be necessary to increase the number of cleanings also in summer and early autumn, as leaves and needles can quickly accumulate in the gutters.
Too long a cleaning interval can lead to clogged gutters and moisture damage, so regularity is the key to gutter health.
When should you clean your gutters?
The most optimal times to clean gutters are in spring and autumn. This is well justified in the Forbes article:
"You should clean your gutters at least twice a year, usually in spring and autumn. In autumn, after the leaves have fallen, the gutters need a thorough cleaning. In spring, it's a good idea to check that the gutters have not been damaged or accumulated ice and debris that could obstruct the flow of water."
If you don't have time to clean the gutters twice a year, but the most important thing is that the gutters are cleaned at least every autumn. In autumn, when leaves fall from the trees, there is the greatest likelihood of gutters becoming blocked.
What do you use to clean your gutters?
We are often asked, what to clean your nipples with. At Kourulle.com, we use by far the best tool on the market for cleaning gutters: the super-efficient 3600W chimney vacuum cleaner.
Our vacuum cleaner comes with a variety of nozzles, making it suitable for all sizes and shapes of channels. If required, it is also possible to attach a camera to the vacuum cleaner to see into a chute up to 12m high. Our other tools include a gutter cleaning brush and a gutter cleaner.
The most popular tool for home use is the gutter cleaning brush. This way you can of course get the gutters clean yourself, but it's very tedious. The height of the building can also be a problem with this method of cleaning, as the brush arm usually reaches a maximum height of 3-4 metres.
What does gutter cleaning involve?
Us at Kourulle.com we clean the gutters by vacuuming them one by one. As an additional service we also offer washing the exterior of the gutters. Especially the white channels are prone to accumulate visible dirt, which we can wash off.
In between the cleaning we also check the general condition of the gutters and inform our customers of any maintenance needs.
If you are planning to clean the gutters, contact us, we will be happy to tell you more about our services!
Who is responsible for cleaning the gutters in your building?
In the building the responsibility for cleaning gutters usually lies with the housing association. However, the general advice is that residents should always report any blocked or damaged gutters, so that they can be cleaned and serviced in time to avoid major damage.
At Kourulle.com, we offer housing associations an extremely easy solution for gutter cleaning. We service over 600 properties every year with an annual maintenance contract.
"Buying an annual contract for gutter cleaning is a smart choice. You get a 15% discount on cleaning, which is a significant benefit that saves you money, plus an annual contract ensures that your gutters stay in good condition and working properly all year round.
You don't have to remember to order the service yourself, as we will contact you at agreed intervals and carry out the cleaning as agreed."
Sum total
Gutter cleaning is an essential part of property maintenance and preventive maintenance in private homes, housing associations, larger properties and factories. Regular cleaning of gutters improves the functioning of the rainwater system and reduces the risk of moisture damage.
Cleaning gutters is extremely important, especially in autumn before winter sets in, but cleaning, or at least checking the condition of gutters, is also recommended in spring. This will ensure that the rainwater system works smoothly all year round, avoid many unnecessary repair costs and extend the life of both the gutters and the building.
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