Leaves are beautiful when it comes to Autumn, the way they change colors, look on the trees, the way they coat the ground and you can not forget the satisfying crunching sound when you step on them. However, their beauty comes with a price, and that price is them falling into your gutters.

Cleaning your gutters of leaves and debris is a dreadful task because of how hard it is for some people.

Luckily, there are numerous ways to successfully clean your gutters with minimal effort with the use of power tools.

Before we get into the power tools and how to use them, let’s discuss the safety precautions.

Be Careful!

On behalf of Kevin Szabo Jr Plumbing, we advise you to make sure you are cautious of your surroundings at all times, and you are cleaning them in a safe manner.

Things we recommend before cleaning:

• Make sure you wear proper gloves and eye protectant. Thick suede gloves are what we recommend using due to the durability of them.

• Do not try to clean your gutters after it rains. We suggest waiting a few days, and doing it midday when the roof is completely dry.

• We advise against cleaning your gutters from on top of your roof. Reaching down to clear the debris is unsafe and can lead to an increased risk of falling. We recommend using a ladder, and if your roof is higher than normal, we suggest an extension ladder.

• Before cleaning the gutters, you should always clear the roof of debris and leaves before the gutters. You do not want debris falling back into the gutters after it rains. This can be done by a leaf blower or broom.

• If possible, have a helper with you. Have somebody alongside of you to hold the ladder and assist if needed.

Leaf Blower

Using a leaf blower eliminates the need to use your hands to clear the clutter. While we do not recommend going on your roof at all, the most common ways people use a leaf blower to clear the leaves is to climb on the roof and stand straight above the gutters and blow the debris out.

Another alternative to using a leaf blower on top of the roof is to get an extension kit. This is the safest method to using a leaf blower. Although it is safer, it is messy. Eye googles are recommended, as the debris is going to end up falling down towards you since you are standing on the ground below where it is all getting blown out.

Vacuum

If you happen to have a wet/dry shop vacuum this is a great choice to help clear your gutters. You can do this by standing on a ladder, or by purchasing an extension and standing on the ground. This method has the least amount of effort, there is no cleanup afterwards.

Power Washer

This is mainly recommended after a storm when the leaves are sticky and stuck in the gutters. If you have a clog and everything is backing up, we recommend taking a power washer and blowing the leaves out. Be careful of the pressure the power washer has, you do not want to fall off the ladder or end up breaking the gutter from the amount of pressure they release.

This is the messiest way to clean your gutters. It would be a great idea to remove any nearby patio furnishings and be prepared to clean your house afterwards. The debris will more than likely get stuck on the siding and windows due to them being wet.

Professionals

Even with numerous ways to clear your gutters, most people dread doing this and let the debris build up. If you do not feel comfortable, have the time, or are physically able to clean your gutters, it is best to call a professional for help. Many landscaping businesses offer gutter cleaning and can be readily available to help. Make sure whoever you hire is insured, you do not want to risk any injuries or problems falling onto you.

Guest Contributor: Tiffany Powell