Understanding The Importance Of Regular Gutter Cleaning And Maintenance

If you're a home owner, especially if you're a new home owner, then first of all: Congratulations. Most people don't make it this far. They think about getting a house, and then they wind up blowing their down payment on a new car and forget all about it! So good work, you made it. Now... You should also recognize the new responsibilities you've taken on. You've got to mow the lawn, pay property taxes, and of course, understand the importance of regular gutter cleaning.

It's easy to forget, especially when it hasn't rained in awhile, but cleaning your rain gutters is absolutely important. It's a gross task, involving scooping out handfuls of yucky leaves and gunk, but it may keep your roof from caving in one day!

A few things to keep in mind...

Don't Wait Til Rain Season!

If you wait until it starts raining, it'll be too late. You want to make sure your gutters are clean so that they can collect the rain, so check your gutters every month or two, especially around Fall, and make sure there's nothing in there to clog them up when the rain comes. You might not have to clean them out once a month, but you should at least check them that often just to make sure. You never know when you'll find a bird's nest or your kid's baseball in there, so keep'em in check.

Consider Gutter Guards

These things are great, like shields for your gutters. They basically just keep the junk out. They won't keep ALL of the junk out, just enough of it that the actual cleaning process will be a lot easier. They're not too pricey, either, and they can seriously take some of the legwork out of the equation, so they're definitely a sound investment.

How to Clean'em

Well... You get up there with a ladder and gloves and scoop that junk out with your hands. This is why it's preferable to do it before it rains, so you won't be scooping out mildew and soil. Dry leaves are easy to scoop out in a handful, wet gunk is a little trickier. So keep your ladder and gloves handy, and you can either bring a garbage bag with you or toss it to the ground and pick it up when you're done.

Have the Kid Do It!

If you have a son, then maybe it's time to honor that time tested tradition of sitting in the lawn chair with a margarita while your boy scoops out the gutters as penance for taking the car without asking/because he wants to earn a little extra cash. It's your right as a parent, and a rite of passage for the boy! Just be sure to call out "You missed a spot!" every minute or two.