Expert Gutter Maintenance Advice Saint-Constant

1. Use a Bucket

• Tie a long rope to a bucket and have a hook ready so you can put the bucket up on the ladder. You can create a hook from a hanger folded in two.
• Wear work gloves, get a trowel and a brush.
• Stand a high, sturdy ladder near the downspout and carefully climb up to the gutter.
• Pull the bucket up with the rope and hook it to one of the rungs on the ladder.

2. Start from the Bottom

• To be most effective, work from the bottom up.
• Using the brush, push the debris towards the upper end of the gutter.
• Pick up the debris with the trowel and put it in the bucket.
• To be safe, clean by sections, only where you can easily reach. Once you’ve done one section, move the ladder over to the next section.

3. Detect Problems with a Hose

• Once you have removed the debris, use a garden hose to rinse the gutter, working from the top down. At this point, you can see if there are leaks or other problems.
• If you find a pool of stagnant water, this means your gutter needs to be realigned or re-installed.
• If the water does not flow at all, this means your downspout is clogged and needs to be cleared.

4. Clearing the Downspout

• Quickly clean a clogged downspout using a garden hose. This time, it is best to work from the bottom up.
• Wrap rags around the nozzle of the flexible hose and install it in the bottom of the downspout. You may need to remove some of the downspout for access.
• Turn on the water at full force.

If this does not remove the trapped debris, use a plumbing snake, working from the bottom up.