Posted by Bealing Roofing No Comments on Spring Gutter Cleaning Tips Uncategorized

Spring is a season many homeowners look forward to because they can finally spend time outdoors taking care of necessary home maintenance tasks. Gutter cleaning is an important task that shouldn’t be overlooked but often is brushed aside because it’s not directly in front of you. Failing to check gutters and remove debris can cause roofing, siding, and gutter issues later in the year.

We’ve put together a list of seven tips to help make your spring gutter cleaning a bit easier:

Check your ladder.

There is no way around it – to properly clean gutters, you have to climb a ladder. Before doing so, make sure the ladder is in working condition and is safe and sturdy to climb. Set your ladder on even, solid ground to assure it remains steady. If the ground is too soft around your home from recent weather, wait until it dries.

Wear proper shoes.

The right shoes are essential for any home maintenance job. If you plan to climb a ladder or onto your roof, it is best to wear rubber soled shoes to prevent slipping and falling. Wearing sandals, flip flops, or dress shoes are not recommended for this task.

Place a tarp on the ground.

To help with the cleanup, we recommend placing a large tarp on the ground below you. As you remove debris, leaves, and dirt, you can drop it on the tarp. Once you are finished, you can discard the debris directly into a trash can from the tarp.

Use a hose to flush gutters.

To assure no dirt is left behind, use a garden hose to flush gutters and check downspouts for clogs.

Do a visual inspection of your roof.

While you are on the ladder, do a visual inspection of your roof. Look for missing or damaged shingles, cracks in your flashing, and pieces of debris that may have blown on your roof from recent storms and bad weather.

Clean all debris from your roof.

If you find debris on your roof, be sure to carefully remove it so it doesn’t cause any damage.

Call a roofing company for advice.

If anything appears off, contact a local roofing company for advice. Many roofing companies offer free roof inspections and will check both the exterior and interior well-being of your roofing system.

Now that spring has arrived, enjoy the warm weather and crossing home maintenance tasks off your to-do list.