Cleaning out your gutters might seem like a chore and it is one but these gutters serve a very important purpose. So you need to take good care of them. There are many ways to clean gutters and the most common way would be to use a leader and do it from the top.
But did you know that more than 500,000 people get ladder-related injuries yearly? So it would be best if you didn’t go with this method. Instead, you should follow our methods to clean gutters from the ground.
We will share 4 answers on how to clean gutters from the ground in Brooklyn and which mistakes you should avoid while you do the cleaning. Gutters play a vital role in your metropolitan homes in Brooklyn, so you should do your part and clean them regularly.
Importance of Cleaning Gutters from the Ground in Brooklyn
Cleaning gutters, in general, is very important because they help to keep your home clean and protected. But there are many reasons why you should clean gutters from the ground. Here are some of them:
Safety
Knowing how to clean gutters from the ground in Brooklyn is a matter of safety. As we mentioned, yearly, hundreds of thousands of people get injured climbing ladders, so why take the chance yourself? But if you know how to clean gutters from the ground you can avoid these injuries.
Preventing Water Damage
Broklyn is known to have heavy rainfall and snowfall throughout the year thus water tends to pool on rooftops and overflowing gutters. Water damage is no joke because they can cause a lot of damage if you aren’t careful. Thus cleaning gutters becomes quite necessary.
Protecting Property Value
Brooklyn is a major real estate zone, and homes there can go for a lot. One major way to increase the value of your property is to do regular maintenance. For certain homes cleaning the gutters is one part of maintenance. With proper cleaning, you can keep water damage, mold growth, and structure problems to a minimum.
Preventing Pest Infestations
Pests are very common in Brooklyn, especially mosquitoes, rats, and rodents. And one of the top places they like to breed in is gutters. By cleaning the gutters you will be able to control these nuisances and reduce health risks.
Learn how much gutter installation costs from the best gutter installation service provider in Brooklyn.
4 Methods to Clean Gutters from the Ground in Brooklyn
There is no clear cut way to clean gutters from the ground in Brooklyn. Instead, you need to consider which method is best for you. Here are the four most popular methods for cleaning gutters from the ground that are very effective.
Method 1: Leaf Blower
This is the most common method for cleaning gutters from the ground. You only need one special tool: a leaf blower. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Safety First: Firstly, wear safety goggles and a dust mask to protect yourself from debris.
- Assemble Equipment: Attach a gutter cleaning kit to your leaf blower.
- Check the Area: Ensure the ground is clear and stable.
- Position the Leaf Blower: Stand at one end of the gutter and aim the nozzle into it.
- Start Blowing: Turn on the leaf blower and move along the gutter, blowing out debris.
- Clear Downspouts: Direct the nozzle down the downspouts to clear blockages.
- Inspect and Repeat: Move to the next section and repeat the process until all gutters are cleared.
- Clean Up: Dispose of debris blown onto the ground.
Method 2: Wet/Dry Vacuum
Wet/dry vacuums are common in Brooklyn because of its weather, but you can easily rent one if you don’t have one. If you rent one, you can also get the gutter cleaning kit together, and if you have one, buy the kit from online or retail stores.
Here are the steps you need to follow for this method:
- Practice Safety: Firstly, wear protective gear such as gloves and safety goggles.
- Prepare the Vacuum: Attach a gutter cleaning kit to your wet/dry vacuum.
- Secure the Area: Ensure stable ground and position the vacuum securely.
- Start at One End: Position yourself at one end of the gutter.
- Begin Vacuuming: Turn on the vacuum and remove debris from the gutter.
- Clear Downspouts: Use the vacuum to clear downspouts.
- Inspect and Move Along: Proceed to the next section and repeat the process.
- Dispose of Debris: Empty the vacuum tank of collected debris.
Method 3: Garden Hose
Most people are shocked by this method because they didn’t think it was possible. However, a garden hose with simple adjustments can easily be used to effectively clean gutters from the ground. Here is how you can do so:
- Safety First: First. wear protective gear like gloves and safety glasses.
- Prepare the Hose: Attach a gutter-cleaning nozzle to your garden hose.
- Extend the Pole: Attach the hose to a telescopic extension pole.
- Secure the Area: Ensure clear and stable surroundings.
- Begin at One End: Start at one end of the gutter and position the pole.
- Turn on Water: Start spraying the inside of the gutter to dislodge debris.
- Progress Along the Gutter: Move along the gutter, pushing debris towards the downspout.
- Clear Downspouts: Direct water flows down the downspouts to clear blockages.
- Inspect and Repeat: Move to the next section and repeat until all gutters are clean.
- Clean Up: Remove any debris washed onto the ground.
Method 4: Pressure Wash
This method might work very well and is a good alternative to leaf blowers. Like wet/dry vacuums, you can rent pressure washers if you don’t have one. Here is how to use a pressure washer to clean gutters from the ground:
- Safety Precautions: Wear protective gear like safety glasses and gloves.
- Prepare the Pressure Washer: Attach a gutter cleaning attachment.
- Check Surroundings: Ensure clear and stable surroundings.
- Start at One End: Begin at one end of the gutter and position the pressure washer.
- Activate the Pressure Washer: Turn on the pressure washer with moderate pressure.
- Clean the Gutters: Move along the gutter, washing away debris.
- Clear Downspouts: Direct the nozzle into downspouts to clear blockages.
- Inspect and Move Along: Proceed to the next section and repeat until all gutters are clean.
- Manage Debris: Clean up any debris and dirty water from the ground.
- Final Check: Inspect all sections to ensure gutters are clean and intact.
Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Gutters From the Ground
As you master the art of cleaning gutters from the ground by following the methods we shared, you need to be careful. Aside from using the tools carefully, you need to ensure that you don’t make certain mistakes. Here are a few that we know people make constantly:
Neglecting Regular Maintenance
Too many people say that you only need to clean the gutters once in a blue moon but that’s completely wrong. Water, leaves, twigs, and such can and do accumulate in a short time in Brooklyn. Therefore, you need to clean your gutters frequently from the ground in Brooklyn.
Using Excessive Force
If you use tools like a pressure washer or leaf blower then you should use it properly. Too little power and you won’t clean the gutter properly. But on the other hand too much power will lead to damage to the gutter. To ensure that you won’t need professional gutter repair services you should use these tools with care.
Ignoring Safety Precautions
You will want to keep safety at the top of your mind when you clean gutters from the ground. Wearing safety goggles and gloves or checking if the ground is clear of obstacles is very important. Always take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and others while cleaning gutters.
Skipping Inspection for Damage
Just don’t focus on cleaning your gutters, you also need to inspect your gutters. Gutters are known to have leaks, rust, or other issues if they aren’t maintained properly. Check for damages once you are done with cleaning them. If the damage or issue is bad you might have to contact professionals.
Failing to Flush Out Gutters Properly
A key part of cleaning gutters from the ground is to flush the gutter. This ensures clogs and blockages are removed properly. If you overlook this part then you will leave these debris in the gutter which in turn will cause problems later on. We recommend you use a garden hose for the flushing part.
Conclusion
Knowing how to clean gutters from the ground may seem like a chore. Truthfully, it is one but it’s an important one that you need to know. In Brooklyn, the weather and environment do clog up the gutter frequently, and not cleaning them can cause issues.
If you are looking to make your property seem more valuable and protect its interior, cleaning gutters from the ground is very much needed. The four methods we highlighted are very effectively at this task so follow whichever one appeals to you. None of them require anything too special and all tools are readily available.