How To Clean Your Gutters?

Gutters are a very important part of your home because they channel the water away from your roof and home's foundation. To maintain their performance, you need to make sure your gutters are clean. 

At McClellands Contracting and Roofing, LLC, we are your local roofing professionals serving Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas of Pennsylvania. In this article, we will outline easy steps to clean your gutters.

To discuss your roofing or gutter project with our professionals, call us today at (412) 353-5660. 

Materials Required

Before you start the actual process of gutter cleaning, gather these tools and materials:

• Extension ladder with stabilizer attachments

• Garden hose with spray nozzle

• Gutter scoop or small plastic trowel

• Bucket for collecting debris

• Heavy-duty work gloves

• Safety glasses

• Rubber gloves (to wear under work gloves if debris is wet)

• Tarp 

• Plumber's snake 

• Gutter sealant 

9 Easy Steps to Clean Your Gutters

Once you have all the materials and tools, here are the simple steps you can follow to clean your gutters.

Step 1: Set Up Safety Measures

Safety should be your priority when cleaning gutters. Start by placing your ladder on solid, level ground and use a ladder stabilizer to avoid damage to the gutters. Never climb above the second-to-last rung, and avoid overreaching while on the ladder. 

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from debris and heavy-duty gloves to protect your hands from sharp objects in the gutters. For homes taller than one story, consider hiring a professional gutter cleaning service.

Step 2: Spread a Tarp Below Your Work Area

Before climbing the ladder, place a tarp underneath your workspace. This will collect falling debris and protect your landscaping and lawn from getting covered in gutter muck. The tarp also makes cleanup much easier once the job is complete.

Step 3: Remove Large Debris by Hand

Starting near the downspout, remove large debris such as leaves, twigs, and branches by hand (while wearing gloves). Place any debris in a bucket that can be hooked to your ladder for easy access.

Step 4: Clear Stubborn Buildup with a Scoop

After removing the larger items, use your gutter scoop to remove smaller debris and compacted material.

Work in sections, moving methodically along the gutter length. This approach prevents you from missing spots and ensures thorough cleaning.

Step 5: Flush The Gutters With Water

Once you clear most of the debris, use your garden hose with an attached spray nozzle to flush out the remaining dirt and small particles. 

Start at the opposite side from the downspout and work your way toward it. This method ensures that you're pushing debris toward the exit point. 

Use a strong stream of water, but make sure that you avoid spraying under the roof shingles to prevent water damage.

Step 6: Check and Clear Downspouts

After flushing the gutters, check if water is flowing freely through the downspouts. If water isn't draining properly, there's likely a clog in the downspout. 

Try feeding your garden hose up from the bottom of the downspout and turn it on at full pressure to dislodge the blockage. 

If this doesn't work, use a plumber's snake to break up the clog. For downspouts connected to underground drainage systems, you may need to remove the bottom section to access the full length.

Step 7: Check for Leaks and Proper Slope

While the gutters are still wet, inspect for any leaks at the seams or joints. Mark these spots for repair later. 

Also, check that water is flowing toward the downspouts. Gutters should slope about ¼ inch for every 10 feet toward the downspout. 

If your gutters aren't draining properly, you may need to adjust their slope by detaching and repositioning the hangers.

Step 8: Repair and Seal Leaks

For any leaks you identified, allow the gutters to dry completely before applying gutter sealant to the problem areas. 

Follow the product instructions for the best results. This is also a good time to check that all gutter sections are firmly attached to the fascia board and add support hangers if needed.

Step 9: Consider Gutter Guards

To reduce future gutter cleaning needs, consider installing gutter guards or screens. These allow water to flow through while keeping leaves and debris out. 

While they don't eliminate the requirement for cleaning entirely, they can reduce the frequency and difficulty of the task.

How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?

Regular gutter maintenance is very important for proper function. At a minimum, you should clean your gutters twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall after the leaves have dropped. However, this schedule may need adjustment based on your specific circumstances.

👉🏻 If your home is surrounded by pine trees, you should clean gutters every three months because pine needles can quickly clog gutters and downspouts.

👉🏻 After severe storms with high winds, check gutters for debris that may have accumulated.

👉🏻 If you notice water overflowing during rainfall, immediate cleaning is important regardless of your regular schedule.

👉🏻 Homes in heavily wooded areas may require cleaning three to four times per year.

Regular maintenance not only keeps water draining as intended but also extends the lifespan of your gutter system and prevents water damage to your home's roof, walls, and foundation.

How Much Does Professional Gutter Cleaning Cost?

While many homeowners prefer to clean their gutters by themselves, hiring professionals is a worthwhile option, especially for multi-story homes or for those uncomfortable working on ladders. 

Professional gutter cleaning services typically charge based on the linear feet of gutters on your home. For single-story homes, you can expect to pay between $75 and $150 for professional gutter cleaning. Two-story homes generally cost between $100 and $200, while three-story homes can range from $150 to $300 or more.

Other factors also impact the exact cost of your gutter cleaning. Things like your home’s height and accessibility, gutter length and complexity, amount and type of debris, local market rates, and additional services like gutter repairs or gutter guard installation. 

In Pittsburgh and surrounding Pennsylvania areas, costs might vary from these national averages. Getting multiple quotes from reputable companies is the best way to ensure a fair price for quality service.

Get Professional Gutter Cleaning Services In Pennsylvania

Regular gutter cleaning is one of the most important maintenance tasks for protecting your home from water damage. Remember that the easiest way to maintain gutters is to clean them regularly rather than deal with severely clogged systems that have been neglected for years.

At McClellands Contracting and Roofing, LLC, we are your local roofing and gutter company in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas of Pennsylvania. Whether you are looking for gutter repairs, installation, or maintenance, our team is here to help. 

If you are struggling with blocked gutters and related damage, call our team today for professional gutter services in Pennsylvania at (412) 353-5660.

Whether you choose to clean your gutters yourself following our guide or hire professionals like our team at McClellands Contracting and Roofing, LLC, keeping your gutters clean and functioning properly will save you from costly repairs in the future.