Gutters are a key part of your home’s protection system, helping to channel water away from the roof and foundation. If they’re clogged with leaves, dirt and debris, water won’t be able to flow properly. This could lead to expensive repairs and water damage.
If you’ve been thinking about tackling a few of the more maintenance-oriented tasks around your home, fall is a great time to do so. This is because the weather often perks up and you can begin to do more outdoor work, such as cleaning out gutters.
The best time to clean your gutters is in late autumn, after all the leaves have fallen from nearby trees and before cold storms hit. This will ensure that you don’t have to deal with water backups in the spring.
Before you start, be sure to clear out all the accumulated leaves and other debris from the inside of your gutters by hand first. This will make the process a lot easier and more safe for you and your family.
Once you’ve cleared out all of the debris, it’s time to use a pressure washer to blast away any remaining buildup on the outside. This will ensure that your gutters are working efficiently, and it will also make them look much cleaner.
Safety is critical when pressure washing, so be sure to wear protective gear and stay hydrated. This will help you to avoid eye injury. It’s also important to remember that when you’re working at height, there’s a risk of debris falling into your eyes.
If you have a telescoping wand with a gutter nozzle, you can get the job done quickly and safely from the ground. You can also get one of these wand belts, which will help support the weight of the wand.
After the wand has been attached to your pressure washer, switch the washer’s nozzle to a high-pressure spray pattern and begin to spray along the soffits and the outside of your gutters. Be sure to rinse out your soffits and the outside of your house with clean water as you go.
Once you’ve completed the entire job, you should be able to see that your gutters are free of debris and are functioning properly. This will save you money on future repairs and prevent water damage to your home.
A good rule of thumb is to clean your gutters at least once a year. The exact frequency will depend on your climate and the types of plants that grow around your home.
Besides ensuring your gutters are free of debris and working effectively, pressure washing can also help to prevent mold and mildew from growing in your gutters. This is a serious problem that can cause respiratory problems, including wheezing, coughing and irritated eyes.
If you don’t have any experience cleaning gutter, consider hiring an experienced Annandale, VA power washing services. They know how to clean the gutters of any type without compromising the sealants or other roof parts that are vital to the integrity of your home’s roof.