One of the typical tasks included in washing down a house is clearing the gutters of debris. Cleaning gutters so that rainwater can flow freely down the drainage pipes and into the storm drains can be a difficult job. To reach them you might have to use a ladder to get to the roof, which can be a risky thing to do. However, your pressure cleaning equipment can help you safely have those gutters free of debris in no time. Read ahead and find out how.
Importance of Having Clean Gutters
The purpose of having gutters is to drain out the water that can otherwise collect on the roof and damage the house. When the water has no outlet, it will begin to seep under the shingles and into the walls of the house by way of the windows and ridge vents. The debris that collects in the gutters can weigh them down so that they become loose and can separate from the roof edges. Clogged gutters and downspouts can also lead to the flooding of the yard when it rains. All of these issues can lead to the necessity for undertaking costly repairs that can be avoided simply by cleaning the gutters regularly.
Equipment Needed
Having the proper pressure cleaning equipment can help you get those gutters free of debris, almost effortlessly. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Gutter Cleaner: Get a gutter cleaner that can be attached to the end of any pressure washer wand. Choose the zinc plated variety that has a ¼ ” Plug Quick Connect outlet and a ¼ ” Socket Quick Connect inlet. You can also opt for the spray flex model that remains steady even when you’re using it with pressure washers at 5,000 PSI. Use it to spray around corners and under low ledges.
- Pressure Washer: You’ll need a pressure cleaning machine that gives you up to 4,000 PSI and 8 GPM.
- Telescopic Wands: Make sure you have telescopic wands that allow you to reach the top of the house from the ground. You can choose from telescopic wands that can go up to 24 feet high. If you feel you need a waist harness to keep it steady, buy one that can take up to two-thirds of the weight of the wands.
- Gutterball: Use the gutterball to clean the gutters by moving it gently back and forth. Its bilateral cleaning system helps prevent forceful down pressures and the backsplash on the ground. Made of aluminum, it comes with 2 – ¼” nozzles and a ¼” quick connect plug.
- Spray nozzles: Get the different varieties including the one for spraying detergent.
Prepping the House and Safety Measures
Before beginning pressure cleaning the gutters, you need to take a few precautionary measures to ensure thorough cleaning and safety.
- Make sure you have safety goggles on.
- Check the spout of the drainage pipe by spraying it from above. The water should flow out easily. If it is clogged, you can use a plumbing snake to clear it before beginning with the pressure cleaning. You can also open the spout and clear out the blockages.
- If the drainage pipe leads to an underground system that is clogged, you might want to use a sewer jetting attachment with your pressure washer to clear it.
- Clear the gutters of debris like dead leaves, pinecones, twigs, branches, a stray tennis or golf ball or two, and other items that the wind has carried to the roof of the house. You might have to use a ladder to the reach the gutter. Take care to wear rubber gloves and move the debris into a garbage bag. You’ll find that the cleaning process becomes easier since you don’t risk the trash clogging the drainage pipes.
- Never choose a cold day to pressure clean the house. Choose a warm day or you risk covering the entire property with ice.
- Check the roof carefully for any loose roofing tiles or other hazards that can get knocked off by the pressure cleaning.
- Gutter systems are typically sturdy enough to take the force of the power washer. However, before starting, check the spikes that hold the gutters in place. If you feel that they are loose, you might want to drive them back securely or replace them with longer spikes so that they are fixed firmly.
- Because the kickback of the water from the pressure cleaning hose can knock you off a ladder, it is preferable that you don’t use it for reaching the gutters of two story houses. If you feel that you need the elevation, consider setting up scaffolds that offer you a more secure center of gravity. Even so, the safest way to clean gutters is by using telescopic wands while standing on the ground.
Pressure Cleaning Process
Now that you have prepared the house, you can begin with the pressure cleaning task.
- Spray from the top of the drainage spout and check to see if the water is running clear.
- Having ensured that the pipe is free of blockage, begin spraying the gutters. You’ll likely notice that close to a quarter of the debris are at the bottom of the drainpipe covering the spout.
- You’ll need to use the telescopic wand to reach the top of the roof. Extend it to the correct length and secure the handle on your waist harness.
- Keep watch on the debris and dirt flying out of the gutters. But, since you have already cleared the area free of much of the debris, the water running out of the spout should be clear soon.
- Spray the outside of the gutters to clean them.
- The entire cleaning process should not take you more than a few hours at a time.
- Opt for using hot water or detergent only if plain water is not effective enough.
Once you see the water running clear from the drainage pipes, you’ll know that the gutters are clean. Clear up the worksite and check with the owners where you can dispose off the organic material you’ve collected. You can either leave it by the curb for the trash collectors to carry away or haul it to a composting area.
Pressure cleaning is a highly effective method of cleaning the gutters of houses and preventing the need for expensive repair work. Homeowners should opt for the cleaning services every once on six months or so and protect their property from damage.
References:
1.“How To Pressure Wash A House To Clean Siding and Gutters.”Pressure Washr. n.d. Web. 23 Aug. 2016.
2.“Gutter Cleaner Attachments.” Ultimate Washer. n.d. Web. 25 Aug. 2016.
3.“Cleaning Gutters with Telescoping Wands.” Ultimate Washer. n.d. Web. 25 Aug. 2016.
4. Splete, Heidi. “19 How to Power Wash A Gutter Tips.”Lifetips n.d. Web. 25 Aug. 2016.