Cleaning and maintaining roof gutters can go a long way. There would be fewer accidents and fatalities and far less property damage if more building owners and managers knew the right way to sweep out their roof gutters. When you maintain your gutters properly, there’s a big chance you will not require any roof repairs in Sydney.
In preparation for the rainy or cold season ahead, you need to sweep your gutters out. If the rainwater does not flow properly through the gutter and downspout system, the freezing rainwater may cause damage and add up to expensive repairs. It is time to clean out those clogged gutters to ensure safety.
In this article, we have outlined a variety of gutter cleaning tips to help you undertake this tedious task. By educating yourself about gutter cleaning, you will be able to have a successful and safe cleaning experience.
Step #1: Practice ladder safety.
When you use a ladder, inform someone that you are using it to clean your property’s gutters. Make sure that you use a safe and sturdy ladder (preferably one with a small shelf) so that it is strong enough to hold a five-gallon bucket to collect gutter debris and secure the bucket with a lanyard.
A four-legged step ladder is ideal if you are cleaning the gutter of a single-story structure, while an extension ladder is suitable for a two-story or taller facility. It is not advisable to use an orchard ladder as it only has three legs for support, which can become unbalanced. You should not also use a wooden ladder because it is often wobbly and difficult to balance.
While fibreglass ladders seem to be the sturdiest, they are also the heaviest. If you use them in cleaning gutters for hours on end, you may experience muscle fatigue from moving the heavy ladder numerous times. In this case, you should try using an aluminium ladder. It is the second-choice option for strength and support.
Most importantly, check the ladder for defects, dents, or loose parts before using it. If the parts are fastened with screws and bolts, make sure they are tightened. Ensure the extension-hinge arms are completely extended and locked in place when opening up a step ladder.
Step #2: Use a garden hose.
Utilise a garden hose with a pistol-grip trigger spray nozzle. By using only one hand, this type of spray nozzle enables you to change the water pressure. It is quick to hang a pistol-grip trigger spray nozzle over the front edge of the gutter when moving the ladder or using a gutter scoop. You can purchase this sort of spray nozzle at any hardware store.
Step #3: Secure a gutter scoop.
The best strategy for cleaning out gutters is probably scooping out the leafy debris. A plastic scooping tool, which you can get from hardware stores, is an ideal tool for this specific task. The front scooping edge is very thin and forms itself to the bottom of the gutter trough, making it easy to scoop even the hardest debris in any gutter.
Keep away from using a metal scooping tool as it can damage and scrape the bottom of the gutter and seams. Scraping the bottom of a steel gutter can lead to rusting; and if it is already rusting, the rust will spread rather quickly.
Step #4: Wear some gloves.
Taking care of your roofing in Sydney is just as important as making sure you are safe. Gloves can protect your hands from dirty, rotting leaf debris that includes bacteria-ridden droppings of bird, pigeon, and squirrel. By wearing gloves, you can avoid having painful cuts from the torn metal shards of old, ragged gutters.
Step #5: Cover your eyes for protection.
Every roof leaking specialist in Sydney would say that eye protection is a must when cleaning gutters. The last thing you want is sustaining an eye injury from cleaning your gutters. No one knows what could fly out of the downspout. When attempting to clear a clog, you may encounter mice, birds, frogs, wasps and bees flying at high speeds.
Step #6: Start cleaning off the roof.
You need to rake down or power-wash any debris from the roof first. Otherwise, all the garbage will be washed into the clean gutter by the next storm, clogging it up again. Besides, debris left on the roof can contribute to water damming up in valleys, around the chimney, or around heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, which can cause erosion and roof leaks.
Step #7: Unclog the downspouts.
Make sure to clear the downspouts. At full pressure, run the water hose down the downspout after cleaning all the gutters. A clog is present if the water backs up from the top. Normally, by tapping on the side of the downspout, it can be unclogged. But, if that does not work, it is necessary to remove the downspout and back, and it should be flushed from the bottom.
It is best to disconnect the bottom of the downspout from the underground drain if a clog is present and the downspout is connected to an underground drain. The clog may otherwise move to the underground drain. If that does not work as well, you can always call for the help of your trusted service provider of roof repairs in Sydney.
Step #8: Be mindful of power line hazards.
Carry out a visual inspection of the electrical cable where it connects to the roof around a power line cable that drops from the power pole to the roof of a building. This is to ensure that the weather and nearby trees have not rubbed off the protective wire insulation through years of wear and tear.
Do not try to repair the cable if it appears damaged; instead, call a licensed skilled electrical contractor to fix it. Do not try to clean out the gutters if it’s raining and if there is an electrical wire problem. Metal is a good conductor of electric current and touching one on a rainy day may be dangerous. Whether it rains or not, getting the electrical wiring fixed would be a smart idea.
Are your gutters not in good working condition? Sydney Wide Roofing will come to your rescue!
If cleaning and maintaining your gutters is not enough to save your roofing system, it’s best to call in the help of our specialists of roof repairs in Sydney. We will come to your place at your desired time and provide you with the most suitable solution to your roofing problem. Contact us today to learn more.
