• Home
• Power Washing Tips
• Safety First When It's Gutter-Cleaning Time

Safety First When It's Gutter-Cleaning Time | Garden City Power Washing

Gutter cleaning is a facet of roof cleaning that is more common than treating shingles, wood slats, or ceramic tiles. Most homeowners just grab a ladder, a bucket, and a trowel, and a couple of times a year, remove leaves, grit, and grime that often build up and slow roof drainage. It's no fun, and hardly anyone wants to do it, but still, you push forward.

Power washing is one way to rid your roof's drainage systems of debris that can clog openings and drain pipes. By running a strong stream of water through the gutters, much of the gunk will either fly out or be washed out. But the job doesn't stop here. You're still up on the ladder or the roof.

Here are a few gutter cleaning tips from power washing pros:

• Make sure the people around you know you'll be completing this task.
• If you're standing on the roof, wear rubber-soled shoes.
• Use protective equipment such as goggles and gloves.
• Unclog the downspouts before you start; pressure washing can accomplish this.
• It's also essential to remove leaves and branches from the roof before you start cleaning the gutters.

Always Be Cautious Coming Down Off

Don't be that neighbor -- the one who uses an 8-foot step ladder, climbs to the top rung, and hoists themselves onto the roof to perform routine gutter cleaning or power washing.

Investing in an extension ladder and making sure someone foots the ladder on your way up and on your way down is imperative. It's also vital that this person is verbally communicating with you during the critical moments when you go from ladder to roof or from roof to ladder.

Don't Waste The Crud

Since most substances that find their way into your gutters are natural and organic -- dirt, leaves, branches, and tree pitch -- you might consider purchasing a mulcher. The substances already have begun to rot, and anyone who's spent any time around mulch knows what it smells like. By adding a very moist combination from your gutters to a mulching container or even your mulch pile (cover it with grass clippings and/or dead leaves to minimize the stench), you'll have healthy potting soil and plant fertilizer in less than a year.

The DIY gutter-cleaning option can be an effective one, and these tips provide simple guidance for a chore that shouldn't be taken for granted. But gutter cleaning can be tricky and isn't for everyone.

Southwest Kansas Power Washing Services in Garden City is an excellent choice if you're considering professional gutter cleaning or actually any type of residential power washing. If nothing else, give them a call at 620-521-5811 for advice and a free estimate and save yourself some time and energy!