One essential task that once in a while gets put off is cleaning your Merced rental property’s gutters. The crisis is that the longer you wait to clean them, the more difficult getting your gutters unclogged will be. When rain gutters are not flowing properly, all kinds of damage can happen, from the roof to the foundation. The best method is to clean your rental home’s gutters regularly each spring and fall. By utilizing a small number of simple tips and how-to’s, you can simplify the job of cleaning your rental’s gutters.
First, get ready to clean your gutters by gathering everything you’ll need to do the job: a ladder, a bucket or two, some heavy gloves, a hand trowel or gutter scoop, and a garden hose with a spray nozzle attachment. You could also opt for special gutter cleaning tools if you feel it would make the job easier.
Choose a dry day to clean your gutters for best results, one not too soon after heavy rain. Wet leaves and debris, not to mention muddy ground, can make clearing out your gutters much more difficult.
Then, set up your ladder so that it is securely positioned on level ground. Use good ladder safety or a helper to keep your ladder stable as you move up and down. Do not climb on the roof to access your gutters. This is very risky and could likewise damage your roof shingles or tiles. If you are not comfortable on a ladder, hiring a professional to clean your gutters for you may be better.
Start near the downspout side of your gutter and work your way toward the other end. Wearing gloves, start by clearing leaves and large debris by hand. Then use a small trowel or gutter scoop for the more compacted debris inside.
As soon as most of the debris has been removed, you can use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to spray out the remaining dirt. This time, start at the end farther from the downspout and work your way toward it. Do not spray under roof shingles, as this may cause water damage. If you desire, you could use a hose attachment or pressure washer to get your gutters completely clean.
After the gutters are clear, your next step is to check the downspouts for obstructions and debris, especially if you notice that water isn’t draining quickly. You can try to spray directly down the spout or feed the hose up from the ground. For really stubborn clogs, try using a plumber’s snake.
When you are satisfied that the downspouts are draining properly, it’s time to check your entire gutter system for developing problems. To do so, flush the gutters one more time, looking for proper drainage and leaks at the seams. If you notice water pooling anywhere in the gutters, you may need to adjust the slope to ensure the water flows out and down properly.
If you notice cracks, leaks, or sagging sections, you may need to do more complicated repairs. Like everything else, gutters will need to be repaired and replaced from time to time to keep them in good working order. Small cracks can be sealed with some gutter sealant, but you may need to replace the entire gutter section for bigger openings.
Finally, consider adding gutter screens across the downspout openings to make cleaning your downspouts easier next time. Or, you could let Real Property Management Valley Wide handle your gutter maintenance for you and never worry about it again! To learn more about our Merced property management services, contact us online.
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