Cleaning Gutters is Part of Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning Tips |  Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning | Spring Cleaning Gutters

As temperatures start to warm up and spring is in the air, most of us start thinking about all the things we enjoy doing in the warm weather. Gardening , golfing, swimming or just lazing around in the yard are enjoyable ways to spend time, but before we can get around to those fun things, there is an annual spring chore we need to get through – spring cleaning. While most spring cleaning activity takes place inside the house, there is one outdoor chore that should be included on everyone's spring cleaning list – cleaning out the gutters . Here's some suggestions on how to clean your gutters properly and safely.

Are clean gutters really that important?

• In a word, yes. Gutters are designed to gather the water coming off your roof and channel it away from your foundation. If your gutters aren't kept clean water coming off your roof will build up and could overflow the gutters and end up sinking into the ground right next to your foundation, and eventually you're going to have a moisture problem
• Over time, the water will work its way through your “solid” foundation and you'll end up with a moist basement and having to deal with all the problems that come with excess moisture in your home. Problems such as a basement that feels damp, cold and uncomfortable, along with smells and potentially unhealthy mold and mildew growing in your basement that can be spread throughout your home by your furnace or air conditioner.
  

What's the best way to clean gutters?

• Cleaning gutters is a dirty, messy job (and you will be working from a ladder), but the best way to clean gutters is by hand. Be sure to wear a pair of heavy duty work gloves to protect yourself from any sharp metal edges or protruding screws inside the gutter, but the actual cleaning consists of simply reaching in and picking  handfuls of  the leaves, twigs and bird dropping that have accumulated.
• When cleaning your gutters It's a good idea to carry a heavy duty trash bag with you up the ladder. If you don't, your alternative is to drop the clutter down and pick it up later, making the job even longer and messier.
• As an alternative to using your hands, you can buy a high sided “gutter cleaning” scoop at home stores designed to fit inside various width gutters.
• After working your way around your home and cleaning out the mess, use your garden hose to flush out the gutters and rinse away any small pieces you may have left behind when hand cleaning.
  

Never forget ladder safety

• If you're not comfortable working from a ladder consider hiring a contractor to do the job for you.
• Even if you are comfortable on a ladder never forget the basics of ladder safety .
• Ensure the feet of the ladder are on solid ground and never climb onto the top two rungs.
• Never reach out to the side further than the middle of your chest.
  
  

Murray Anderson is a veteran freelance writer whose work has been appeared in books, newspapers and newsletters as well as on numerous web sites in both the United States and Canada. He writes on a wide range of topics including home, consumer, and personal subjects as well as general business and Marketing specific topics.