A home maintenance expert has shared four easy ways to clean your gutters without having to take your feet off the ground – and it’s perfect for the upcoming spring season
As spring is on the horizon, it’s the ideal time to get your home’s gutters in tip-top shape before the inevitable cold weather makes an appearance. Gutters clogged with leaves and other debris can cause a host of problems, ranging from minor fixes to hefty structural damage.
Blocked gutters can become a haven for pests like rodents, squirrels and even mosquitoes, which is why it’s crucial to give them a good clean at least once or twice a year. While this might sound like a daunting task, a TikTok home maintenance guru has shared four straightforward ways to prevent water pooling without even having to leave the ground.
In a video posted on TikTok, Weekly Home Check, an account with a staggering amount of followers, offered some handy advice on how to keep our gutters spick and span, reports the Express.
They suggested four easy methods to keep your gutters clear: A garden hose attachment can be a great help for homes with relatively low gutters or minor blockages, as the water pressure can effectively push debris towards the downspout and wash it away.
For optimal results, start at one end of the gutter and work your way along, making sure all sections are cleared.
However, if your gutters are seriously clogged, you may need to repeat the process or use another method, such as a gutter claw tool, to remove stubborn debris.
This technique is particularly handy for dry debris, as the powerful air flow can effortlessly lift and shift leaves out of the gutters.
Some attachments even come with multiple extension tubes, letting you adjust the length based on your gutter height.
However, this method can get a bit messy, as the blower’s force may scatter debris onto your lawn, driveway or patio. To keep clean-up to a minimum, think about laying a tarp under the gutters or using a rake to collect the fallen debris afterwards.
They recommended four simple ways to keep your gutters clear:
1. Garden hose attachment
Using a garden hose attachment is useful for homes with relatively low gutters or minor blockages, as the force of the water can efficiently push debris towards the downspout and flush it away.
For best results, start at one end of the gutter and work your way along, ensuring all sections are cleared.
However, if your gutters are severely clogged, you may need to repeat the process or combine it with another method, such as a gutter claw tool, to remove stubborn debris.
2. Leaf blower attachment
This method is particularly effective for dry debris, as the strong air current can easily lift and push leaves out of the gutters. Some attachments come with multiple extension tubes, allowing you to adjust the length depending on the height of your gutters.
This method can however be a bit messy, as the force of the blower may scatter debris onto your lawn, driveway or patio.
To minimise clean-up, consider placing a tarp on the ground beneath the gutters or using a rake to gather the fallen debris afterward.
3. Shop vac attachment
A wet/dry vac attachment can be used to either blow or suck out debris from your gutters. Designed to fit onto most standard wet/dry vacuums, these attachments typically include a series of extension tubes and a curved nozzle, enabling you to reach into the gutters while standing safely on the ground.
It’s especially useful for removing leaves and dirt without the mess of climbing up high.
4. Gutter claw tool
This long-handled tool is designed to grab and pull out debris, allowing you to clear the gutters with minimal effort. It’s an affordable and effective way to reach into hard-to-reach areas.
Unlike suction or airflow-based methods, this tool gives you more control, allowing you to scrape, lift, and pull out dirt, wet leaves and even small nests or moss buildup.
If you have tried the above and are still worried about blockages, it’s recommended to hire a professional gutter cleaning service to ensure everything is properly cleared.