How To Stop Your Gutters From Getting Clogged
21st March 2022
What tools do you need to clean gutters?
A variety of products are now available that can assist in preventing the buildup of waste leaf debris and organic waste in gutters, including the following:
Foam Gutter Filters:
A foam gutter filter is a long piece of foam that fits inside your gutter, filling to keep leaves and other debris out while still allowing water to flow past it and down into the gutter. These are quite effective, but they may still enable tiny dirt particles to flow through and accumulate over time, so they are far from a maintenance-free solution. Additionally, they can limit the quantity of water that can flow into the gutter during exceptionally heavy downpours, causing it to overflow. These are more common in the United States than in the United Kingdom.
Gutter Guard:
They work similarly to the gutter filters mentioned above. They attach to the top of your gutter and prevent large and even small objects from entering. As previously said, these are mostly a US phenomenon and are not very widespread in the UK. Instead, they restrict the amount of stormwater permitted to enter the gutter during severe downpours, so they are not ideal.
Gutter Brush:
It is the most common option in several countries, and it is unquestionably one of the good alternatives. It’s a long, flexible brush that can be moulded into practically any shape. It just lies in your gutter, and the bristles keep dirt from entering while allowing water to flow freely.
How To Avoid Clogged Gutters
No matter how effective a product is at stopping leaves and debris from entering a gutter, total debris prevention is impossible.
Clogging is caused by more than just leaves. All types of debris can accumulate in your gutters and clog your downspouts. Loose shingles and roof/chimney particles can get into your system. As soon as an issue is discovered, get your roof checked and replace parts or make repairs as needed. Anything on your property that isn’t “tied down” and is light enough to be lifted by the wind (or picked up by birds) could end up in your gutters. So keep your yard neat and your garbage and recycling bins closed tight to avoid future issues.
It is not an easy job to clean gutters, and it is one that most people would prefer not to undertake. However, it is a task that has to be done, and it’s only a matter of doing it now that we’ve taught you how to clean gutters and gutters.
If you also want to check out how to take care of your downpipes, check out this article.