There’s nothing more monotonous than having to clean your gutters. But as the Western Cape hunkers down and cosies up with a mug of hot chocolate in front of the fire, cleaning your gutters may become more of a hazard than a chore.
Why cleaning your gutter is important
So, what’s the big deal? Frequently cleaning your rain gutters are essential to maintaining your home, as it’s responsible for redirecting rainwater away from your foundation. While we’d rather be spending our days planted on the couch watching Netflix, avoiding gutter cleaning may be more harmful to your home than Netflix is to your eyes.
A leaky roof, compromised foundation and water damage are all reasons to grab a ladder and start cleaning. Here are a few DIY tips that will help you unclog your gutters before a big Cape storm.
Get your supplies ready:
There is a range of gutter scoop options available online, but simply grabbing your child’s sand shovel can be an easy and budget-friendly option. Using a pair of gloves and getting your “hands” dirty is another great way to unclog debris and ensure that you don’t miss a thing. Make sure you don’t forget your bucket, as you can add these leaves and debris to your compost pile.
Hose it down
If you’re looking to get your gutters squeaky clean, use a garden hose to flush out any stubborn debris and check for leaks. This is also a great method to clean out your home’s downspouts, as this is usually prone to clogging.
Don’t forget to use gutter guards
If you’re looking to avoid debris piling up in the first place, adding a gutter guard is a great preventative measure. Gutters guards don’t have to cost a fortune, and they help protect your gutters and downspouts, so you spend less time and money cleaning.
