Gutter Cleaning and Repair

Seamless aluminum rain gutters can last up to 30 years provided they are cleaned regularly. For the system to do its job properly and keep water away from your home, the gutters need to be free of dirt and debris. Open gutters can quickly accumulate leaves and other debris which can clog the system and prevent water from flowing freely. Regular gutter cleaning will allow you to be sure that your system is working optimally and help prevent clogged gutters. 

Clogged Gutters 

Cleaning gutters is critical because clogged gutters will overflow and damage your home. The purpose of gutters is to guide water from your roof to the ground while keeping it away from your house. The problem is that water is never the only thing that ends up in your gutter. Leaves, debris, shingle grit, even animals can find their way in there and when they get stuck, your gutters can clog —causing some serious and costly damage to your home. 

Clogged gutters can cause rainwater to soak into your fascia board and cause it to rot. Rotted fascia board can allow water to leak into your attic, ceiling, etc. Similarly, if your downspout and drain are clogged, water can leak into your basement or foundation. It’s not only costly to fix but can cause dangerous mold and mildew growth. 

Our maintenance services are designed to keep the inside of your system clean. This is a necessity, allowing your gutters to operate and function properly. By installing guards, yearly interior cleanings will no longer be necessary.

Table of Contents 

 

Best Way to Clean Gutters

Overflow / Leaky Gutters

Gutter Cleaning and Repair – Which do I Need?  

Do it Yourself Cleaning – Step by Step

Stained Gutters 

Wrapping Up

 

Best Way to Clean Gutters 

One of the ways you can tell which chores are the most dreaded is by the number of “easy” gadgets that are available to “solve” the problem or make it “fun”. We’ve tried many of these gutter cleaning methods over the years and will continue to try and test new options as they become available. Many of these gadgets, and even many hired landscapers, address only the gutter and completely ignore the downspouts and outlets. 

Cleaning by Hand

So far, we’ve discovered that nothing is more effective than good old-fashioned hand cleaning with a ladder, gloves, and a bucket. Using spray nozzles and similar methods often creates a mess that can splatter on your siding and windows. Below, we’ll explain the best way to tackle the entire job yourself —including downspouts and outlets— leaving you with gutters that will perform and protect your home as designed.   

Gutter Cleaning Services 

Or if you prefer, The Brothers that just do Gutters can completely take the hassle out of cleaning your gutters by offering a Maintenance Agreement program for all clients. By signing up for the Maintenance Agreement, you will immediately be put into our database. Signing up for our gutter cleaning agreement allows us to put you on our scheduled cleaning list and properly prepare for the heavy cleaning seasons! 

Another advantage to having gutters cleaned by hand by gutter experts is knowing that your gutter system will be inspected every year by professionals and any minor adjustments will be made to ensure the functionality of the gutters. 

Your gutters should be cleaned before the spring rainy season and at least 1 or 2 times during the fall foliage season. 

Gutter Guards 

If you want to avoid recurring cleaning costs, the other option is to have us install a high-quality guard system to keep gutters clear of leaves and debris. Investing a little more upfront in such a system can save you money in the long run. High-quality gutter guards can also strengthen the gutter system and increase its longevity, especially if you experience heavy storms.  

Overflowing / Leaky Gutters

Leaks and overflowing water after a storm are the biggest signs that your gutters may have a clog and need cleaning, but it could also be a sign that you need gutter repair.  

Signs your gutters need attention 

• Gutter overflow 
• Visible debris in gutters 
• No water flow from the downspout 

 

To an untrained eye, an overflow that is caused by a clog may look similar to an overflow that is caused by damaged or improperly installed gutters.  

Repair 

Whereas, overflow that is occurring in the middle of a gutter, and/or at the opposite end of a downspout typically indicates the need for a repair or reinstall because this could: 

1. be a sign of a pitch issue
2. mean your gutters are too small
3. mean there are not enough leaders or downspouts
4. be your gutters are sagging/pulling from your home due to age, or install issues 

 

If you think you have an issue with your gutters that may need repair, contact us or check our blog articles on gutter repair.  

Other indications that you have overflow issues: 

• Stained or cracked walls, siding, or foundation 
• Pooling by your foundation 
• Visible overflow from the front of the gutter or between the fascia and gutter in the rain 

 

There are less subtle signs as well. If you have a downspout that leads to an underground drain and the area around that drain is wet, then it is most likely clogged. 

Although the above lists are great indications and starting points to understanding what may be wrong with your gutter system, it is common for homeowners to misdiagnose the source of their gutter problems. 

Let the Pros Decide 

 

It is important to remedy these overflow issues because continued run-off can lead to many serious and expensive issues for your home like water damage, flooding, and foundation damage.  

During an evaluation, our professionally trained staff can determine whether your gutter system needs cleaning, or if your overflow is due to other issues that may involve a repair or a replacement. The right solution for your gutters is not a cookie-cutter plan, and each home often requires a unique solution that should be fully and properly assessed by a professional.  

 

If you have a gutter overflow, contact The Brothers that just do Gutters today for your free estimate. You can trust us to properly diagnose your situation, and provide the best solution for your home. 

 

Do it Yourself cleaning   

 

Cleaning your home’s gutter system is an extremely important maintenance task. However, it isn’t as easy as you might think. Some common mistakes can cause injuries to you or damage your home. 

 

Mistakes To Avoid 

1. Not properly adhering to ladder safety
2. Overreaching while on a ladder
3. Wearing inappropriate attire
4. Using the wrong tools
5. Not completely unclogging gutters. 

Best time of year to clean gutters 

• Spring before increased heavy rainfall 
• Fall after all leaves have fallen 

 

The pros don’t just clean the gutters out with a leaf blower. It is rare that gutters are only filled with dry leaves. We respect the homes that we service and leaf blowers can blow dirt and mud all over —staining windows, siding, patio furniture, and decks below. Besides, leaf blowers are not effective at clearing out clogs from downspouts. Cleaning only the gutter and leaving a clog in a downspout will only lead to more clogging and more work later.  

 

Gutter Cleaning Steps 

 

1. First, we need to access the state of your gutters and determine if you have any blockages. Next, determine what is causing the clogs. Clearing twigs and dry leaves is easy, but if dirt or organic matter like seedlings are obstructing the flow, a more aggressive removal technique will be necessary.
2. After accessing the gutter condition, start at the downspout, clear the area and make sure nothing is obstructing the flow of the water being released from there. Check for any clogs, and feed a hose up the downspout or snake to clear the blockage. It can be helpful to take the elbows apart, like we do, to ensure all of the debris is out of the downspouts and outlets. Make sure you clean the downspout strainers thoroughly.
3. Next, put on your work gloves, grab a trowel and a bucket, and remove all of the larger debris from the gutter by hand. Remember, if you are working from a ladder, do not overreach, and practice proper ladder safety (our teams are all OSHA 10 certified for safety). Placing the debris in buckets helps keep the mucky stuff from staining outdoor furniture, decks, siding, etc.
4. Flush the gutter length with a garden hose at the opposite end of where the downspout is. Removing all leaves and twigs before flushing the finer materials towards the downspout is essential. This will prevent large debris from getting stuck inside of the downspout.
5. After the gutters are clog-free, you will also want to clear the roof of any debris that will inevitably end up in the gutter soon. Carefully inspect your newly cleaned downspouts and gutters for any visible damage and make any minor repairs. It’s best to take care of these before the problem gets worse. If your gutters are now functioning properly, now is a good time to take the extra step to take care of those ugly stains on the outside of your gutters. 

 

Removing those Stains – Stained Gutters 

• Unsightly gray stains and drip marks usually accumulate on the outside of your gutters. They are often called tiger stripes because of their striped appearance. These stains are formed because of the chemicals in asphalt shingles and they can be very difficult to remove. You don’t want to use harsh chemicals or scrub too hard because it can ruin the finish. We’ve found using a soft cloth with a product called Gutter Magic No. 9 can work wonders and is specially formulated to clean stubborn stains from aluminum gutters. 

Wrapping up 

No matter how well you or anyone cleans your gutters, if left uncovered, your gutters will still need to be cleaned 2-4 times a year. Keeping your gutters clean is essential for them to perform the way they are intended. After they are fully cleaned may be a good time to consider adding those gutter guards to keep your gutters clog-free in the future. Click here to read our last blog about picking the best gutter guard or click here to look at our website and learn more about our cleanings and maybe schedule one for yourself before we are booked for the season.