Gutter cleaning is not something most homeowners look forward to. Especially, when the rainy season comes and all the leaves that fall on your roof start to fall onto your gutter. In addition, gutter cleaning requires a lot of work for those who have little or no experience at all. The following are some tips for having gutter cleaning done easily and inexpensively in your own home without having to hire a professional to do it for you.
The price of gutter cleaning will depend on some factors including the size of your house and the amount of gutters on your property. For instance: Gutter cleaning costs on an average-sized 1,500 square foot house will range from $75 to $ 200. However, if you own a ranch house which is 2,100 square feet with approximately 180 linear feet of gutter system, the gutter cleaning cost will be a bit more. This depends on the type of gutters you use. For instance: Wood, metal, ceramic, slate, aluminum, vinyl, and fiberglass will all have their own cleaning needs.
Foundation crack repair or replacement: If your gutter cleaning efforts prove to be futile, a foundation repair might be needed. A foundation crack is the area where a water pipe or drain pipe comes in contact with the ground. Water can then get into the house causing damage to the interior (e.g. walls) as well as the exterior (e.g. roof).
If your roof has this type of crack, it would be wise to have the cleaning completed before the water starts to erode the exterior walls of the house. It will also make it easier for you to identify and repair any damage that occurs to the walls. It will also prevent the water from running down to the foundation. When you start cleaning up the dirt, remember to check the siding as well. If there is any damage done to the siding due to rotting, you should also have the foundation cleaning done prior to starting with the actual repairs.
Two-story house cleaning gutters: If your house has two-story eaves or rakes, then it will be a bit more difficult for the ladder contractor to reach the eaves while cleaning. You may want to consider using two-way vision goggles as these are not only safer, but will provide clearer images of what is going on. One way to overcome this problem is to use a pair of low-profile ladder scissor tools. These tools have a longer reach than a set of regular ladder scissors and they will not scratch the surface because they have special cutting edges. These tools are also often made with rubber cutting edges that minimize any chance of damage.
Ladder cleaning involves climbing up the ladder and removing the clogged leaves, debris and other smaller debris that may be stuck to the ladder. Once the debris is removed, you should use an old rag or newspaper to remove any residual dirt, leaves or other items from the ladder. You will also want to clean the ladder rails and any other parts you can reach. Then, remove the ladder and clean the area beneath it and inside the pipes and chimney to remove any remaining dirt, leaves, and other debris.
Two-story roof cleaning: As stated earlier, it is harder for a ladder contractor to access the rooftop when cleaning the gutters. In some cases, you may need to utilize an extension ladder. To clean the gutter at ground level, you will need to use the right equipment. A garden hose is a good investment because it has a wide spray nozzle that allows you to get to the base of the tree where most of the debris is gathered. If you are using the ladder, you should wear protective gear so you do not slip and fall and further injure yourself.
If you cannot climb the ladder, you may still be able to clean the gutter with the proper equipment. You will need a large bucket with soft bristled brush attached to the handle so you can move the bucket through the tree branches and wet areas without damaging the debris. After the debris has been moved through the bucket and onto the ground, a pressure washer is a great tool to use to get rid of any remaining debris, and then you can use your ladder to clean up the mess.