When it comes to cleaning, most of our efforts are focused on the inside of our homes – scrubbing sinks, floors, and tiles until they shine. However, the exterior of our homes, particularly the gutters, require just as much attention.
While gutters can be awkward to reach, neglecting to clean them regularly or cutting corners during the job can lead to structural damage, leaks, and very costly repair bills down the line.
We spoke to professional contractors and cleaning experts to learn more about the six most common gutter cleaning mistakes homeowners make all too often, helping you clean your gutters more efficiently each year.
Gutter cleaning mistakes
1. Not cleaning gutters regularly
Gutters are tricky to reach and exhausting to clear out, so how often should we be tackling them?
Chris Counahan, home improvement expert at Leaf Home says, ‘Gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year to prevent costly damage to your roof and home. If your home is surrounded by trees, leading to more debris, your gutters will require more maintenance.’
Working out the best time to clean gutters can make the task easier. Timing this maintenance task with good weather and low winds will make your job safer, for example. Making them part of your fall home maintenance and spring home maintenance jobs is wise.
Using an extendable gutter cleaning tool, such as this brush set, can help to dislodge leaves and debris without the need for a ladder, making the task quick and safe.
2. Ignoring sagging gutters
When cleaning your gutters, you should never ignore anything that looks abnormal, such as sagging or cracks. This home maintenance mistake to never make in winter could lead to roof damage if left too long.
Chris Counahan continues, ‘Homeowners should address sagging gutters promptly to prevent water pooling, which can lead to structural damage. The top signs you should be looking for are the gutters looking warped, pulling away from the house, draining incorrectly or abnormally, and debris regularly getting trapped in the gutters.’
These aluminum hidden gutter hangars with screws, from The Home Depot, are four-and-a-half star rated and can help to keep your guttering secure and stable.
3. Taking needless risks
Bar Zakheim, CEO of Better Place Design & Build says, ‘Cleaning the gutters isn't that hard of a job – once you get up there. It's important to use a sturdy ladder that's tall enough to easily reach your gutters, to work with a spotter for added safety, and to move the ladder as needed rather than reaching and overbalancing.’
This extension ladder from The Home Depot extends up to 31 ft. and features non-slip D-rung steps and twist-proof joints for added safety.
It is good to know when to call the pros for tasks like this. If you are concerned about working at heights, a local gutter cleaning service will be able to help you, and will often be able to repair any damage at the same time.
This metal ladder attachment helps to stabilize ladders when working at heights, such as when cleaning gutters, helping to avoid slips and falls.
4. Underestimating gutter guards
Clogged gutters cause more hassle than poor drainage. That backed-up water has to go somewhere – and that is usually into your home!
Chris Counahan says, ‘Save yourself the hassle of gutter cleaning and prevent gutters from clogging by proactively installing gutter guards ahead of a storm or seasonal change. Getting ahead of the problem can prevent more significant issues such as foundation damage or mold/mildew buildup. They can also put a stop to pest infestation by restricting access to insects and animals.
‘Outside of the preventive benefits, gutter guards can improve curb appeal by tidying up the look of your home. If you're aiming to sell your home in the future, installing gutter guards is an easy way to upgrade your home's first impression to potential buyers. Some may even offer lifetime transferable warranties, which is an added incentive.’
Gutter guards negate the need to clean gutters at all by stopping debris from falling into your drainage in the first place. Be sure to check and maintain your guards, however, to keep them functional.
5. Using the wrong tools
You wouldn’t start to clean your home without all the essential cleaning tools, so why do the same for your gutters?
Nathan Mathews, founder and CEO of Roofer shares, ‘In my line of work, I see a lot of DIY gutter jobs gone wrong, especially when homeowners use the wrong tools. Don’t try to clear debris with a rake or garden shovel. It’s easy to damage the gutters while trying to clear them out, and you’ll probably make more mess.
'Use a gutter scoop, available at Walmart, or a purpose-built tool instead. If you’re unsure about what to use, the folks at Home Depot or Lowe’s can point you in the right direction.’
Bar Zakheim adds, ‘Misusing power tools is another big one. Rotating agitators, pressure washers, and similar tools can make gutter cleaning easy, but they can also ruin your gutters if you use them carelessly or incorrectly.’
Your gutter guards might need an occasional brush to remove debris on top of them to allow water to drain adequately. This 360° brush allows you to reach from the floor.
6. Ignoring signs of water damage
Water damage is a structural issue you can’t afford to ignore no matter how small it appears.
Chris Counahan explains, ‘You might notice gutters overflowing a little during heavy rainfall – this is normal. However, for homeowners who have basements or crawl spaces, it’s important to inspect these spaces thoroughly after rain.'
Peeling paint and mildew on fascia boards are tell-tale signs that there is a chronic water overflow problem. Cracking and blistering shingles, granule-filled gutters (small, sand-like or rock-like particles from the top layer of asphalt shingles), and erosion to your home’s exterior or cracks in the foundation of the house are indicators that there is a water drainage problem.
‘This can lead to costly foundation repairs, ranging from $2,000 to $8,000 on average,’ Chris adds.
Once you have repaired the leak and any water damage, you can repaint your home to restore your curb appeal. Before painting, use a quality stain-blocking primer to maintain the aesthetics of your property.
Meet the experts
FAQs
Is it okay to walk on the roof to clean gutters?
When cleaning gutters, it is best to avoid walking on the roof to avoid injuring yourself. It is generally safer to work from a sturdy ladder, secured either with an anchor point or by another person holding the ladder secure. When working at a height, always have a second person to help you in the case of an accident.
If you are not confident working from a ladder, consider calling a professional to complete the task safely and efficiently on your behalf.
Gutter cleaning is not the only outdoor cleaning task that needs to be completed by summer, there are a whole host of other maintenance tasks from maintaining decks to refreshing protective paint that can all help to keep your home safe from lasting damage.
