Gutters - clean or paint?

My homeowners association wants me to give my gutters a powerwash. I attempted to do it myself but I see no improvement whatsoever. To me it looks more like the paint has worn away rather than simple dirt. Anyway, I was looking for an opinion on this before I proceeded further.

Would a professional power-sprayer be able to restore these gutters or is painting them a better course of action?



Thanks.

 

Plain water no matter how much pressure is there won't clean them. That appears to be mildew stains (from the trees) on them. You need to use a stiff brush to apply some Simple Green or another name of cleaner. It may take several brushing and rinse cycles to get it sparkling clean.

 

A light mixture of bleach, water and liquid soap (to help it cling). Simple Green or similar is great...but normal dishsoap will work. 1/4 bleach, 3/4 water...a few drops of dishsoap worked very well when I was cleaning up to sell my house in VA. Thats exactly what mine looked like before cleaning.

Spray it on...let it sit for a few minutes...rinse it off. Wet the stuff below with plain water to prevent damage.

I used a spray bottle...but a pump up sprayer would make it easier.

 

I've never known just using a pressure washer to be very effective on gutters. I agree with the others a detergent is needed! maybe even some elbow grease I found 'greased lightning' to be very effective.

Painting might be easier/quicker but then you have to start with periodic repainting. Aluminum siding usually goes 25-30 yrs before it needs to be painted. I'd assume the same would be true of gutters..... if they last that long.

I probably ought to add that you need to be careful with the water hose or pressure washer - it would be easy to introduce water into your attic via the soffit vents