Six Steps to Get Gutters Ready For Rainy Season

Why you should check your gutters

Gutters are usually an afterthought… until you have problems with them. Gutters are exposed to leaves, twigs, and all the elements, so having your gutters in tip-top shape is essential to keep your home protected from excess water.

Faulty gutters that aren’t properly maintained can cause mold growth, lead to a leaky roof, or even water damage to your windows and other exterior spaces.

Cleaning and checking your gutters for problems is the best way to prevent anything serious from developing. It will save you money and time in the long run.

What to look for when checking your gutters

You need to make sure the gutters are working well when it rains and that there are no problems coming up. Here are some of the signs you’ll be looking for: cracks and leaks, loose gutters or faulty hangers, and pooling water.

How to check your gutters

1. Pick the right time to clean the gutters

To check your gutters, you need to clean them first in order to make sure they work properly.

In general, cleaning your gutters in the spring is the best option. Try to avoid scheduling your cleanup after rain. If possible, allow a few days so the debris can dry. Taking out wet debris is more difficult and tiresome, so don’t make it unnecessarily hard to do.

Cleaning gutters should usually take you a few hours or an afternoon. However, plan for more time if the last time you cleaned them was more than a year ago. Adding it to your calendar to do 3 to 4 times a year is not a bad idea. 

2. Use the proper equipment to access the gutters

The right tools will make your job easier and faster. Start with a proper ladder. Cleaning gutters can be the difference between a routine maintenance job and a very dangerous accident.

To avoid climbing up and down the ladder several times, gather all your equipment before actually starting. Luckily, there’s no need for fancy tools. Here’s what you’ll probably need to clean your gutters:

• A good ladder: We recommend using a step ladder, never climbing above the second to last step. If your home has two stories, use an extension ladder with a stabilizer. Better yet, recruit a partner to work with you to hand your supplies and to steady the ladder.
• Gloves: To protect your hands, we recommend thick, waterproof gloves.
• Security glasses: The debris that comes off your gutters tends to fly away in a million directions, so keep your eyes safe.
• Buckets: We recommend having two. One for the debris you’ll be taking out, and the other for your tools. If possible, hook them to your ladder to have them on hand while working.
• Hose: Use the hose to clean smaller debris and check for water flow after you’re done.
• Trowel: To remove smaller, caked-on debris.

3. Clear the debris and flush the gutters

Take out big leaves, twigs, and any other debris with your hands. Begin near the downspout and work your way to the closed end. After you’ve cleared large debris, take a small trowel and remove compacted debris to the best of your abilities. You can also use a gutter scoop if you have one. Finally, once most of the debris has been taken care of, take the hose and flush your gutters out. Make sure to use a strong water stream and point it to the gutter instead of the roof. This will remove the final bits and dirt from the gutter without getting water underneath the shingles.

4. Clear the downspout strainer

Start near the downspout and clear the strainer of any debris. If you haven’t done gutter maintenance in a while, this is where critters might have been living. Be careful and use your gloves. If you have a removable drainer, take it out and rinse it off with a hose. For debris that’s dry and hard, you might need to soak in some water while you keep cleaning.

PRO TIP: Check for wear and tear in the strainer: it’s common to find holes or cracks. If that's the case, try to replace it ASAP. Strainers are very useful to keep your downspout debris-free and avoid clogs. You’ll probably find replacement parts at your local store.