At the start of every Spring and Autumn, this job will be worth doing, and you’ll thank yourself when it’s done – it’s time to get your guttering cleaned, cleared and ready for the season ahead.

Look at our essential guide to gutter cleaning for every Irish homeowner.

But first…

Here’s Why You Need to Clean The Gutter

Let’s face it! The Irish climate is characterised by frequent rainfall, variable windy weather, and mild temperatures for foliage to thrive. This takes its toll on our guttering in the following ways:

• Continuous water flow from our wet, rainy climate also tests the durability and capacity of gutter systems, so they have to be robust and well-maintained to prevent overflow and water damage to the property.
• This constant rainfall and windy weather can quickly fill gutters with debris like leaves, twigs, and silt, leading to blockages.
• Storm damage and high winds from the end of the winter season could dislodge whole sections. Check your gutters after stormy events to ensure the structures are securely attached.
• Debris accumulation also happens during autumn when trees shed their leaves.
• The damp weather will also lead to moss and algae accumulating in whatever sediment is left in your guttering. The Moss will also retain more moisture, giving you a snowball effect—this will end up damaging your roof and guttering system cumulatively over time.
• Damp weather, moist air and rainy conditions will also lead to corrosion and wear of metal components.
• Expansion and contraction of the gutter materials during temperature fluctuations in our increasingly erratic weather could lead to cracks and leaks over time.

In general, this accumulation of material will block water from flowing through your gutters and can lead to even further accumulation of debris.

When to Check Your Gutters

Preventative checks will save you money in the long run.

Unattended gutters will incur damage over time due to the strain of all that debris and standing water buildup. These accumulations can strain, bend, or break gutters and attached downspouts. The repairs or replacements will prove costly.

It’s best to check on your gutters at least twice a year, in early Spring and Autumn, before winter sets in. It’s also a good idea to check after any extreme weather event to ensure the fixtures are secured and debris-free.

It’s also wise to check your gutters after inclement weather, just in case.

A Quick Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Gutters

Ensure Your Safety First

You will need to work comfortably at heights commensurate with your home’s height, so this job requires extra safety measures and sound equipment.

Secure the Right Equipment for Gutter Cleaning

Ensure you have a sturdy ladder on level ground. Make sure you have a spotter for added stability. We’ve got some great tips for using ladders in this blog: “Critical Ladder Safety Tips To Help You Avoid Injury”

Here are some other tools and materials  you may need:

• Flexible work gloves
• Safety Goggles
• A bucket for water or containing debris
• Leaf scoop or hand-held garden spade (optional)
• Garden trowel (optional)
• Stiff bristled brush
• Garden hose with a spray nozzle and extendable hose length that will comfortably reach the height of your guttering

Remove the Accumulated Gutter Debris

1. Start scooping out the loose stuff, such as large leaves, twigs, and any other removable debris, by hand while wearing gloves. You can also use a scoop like a leaf scoop or a hand-held garden spade.
2. Make sure you clean the gutter length with a stiff brush. Use it to scrub any remaining debris, soil, sediment, or dirt accumulated along the gutter’s entire length.
3. Start at one end and go in the direction towards the downspout.
4. Look out for any leaks, cracks, or rust in your gutters. You will need to address those repairs before using the hose.
5. While up there, check for any signs of damage, rust wear, or loose sections that may require repair or replacement.

Flush Out The Gutters With Water

1. Use a spray nozzle on your garden hose to flush out the gutters.
2. Start at the far end and work your way down through towards the downspout.
3. Once you’ve cleared your gutters, look through the downspout to check for clogs. Use the hose to dislodge any blockages you may spot. If there are stubborn blockages, you might want to use a plumber’s auger.
4. You’ll be left with lots of debris to discard, so have a bucket handy and nearby or develop a quick pulley system for quickly removing batches of debris as you find them. We suggest composting any organic material once metal objects or plastics are removed.

Make Necessary Gutter Repairs

There are some minor repairs you can make if needs be.

• Look for Small Holes or Cracks: Clean the area around the hole thoroughly with a wire brush, ensuring it’s dry before applying a waterproof sealant or gutter repair tape designed for gutters. You can also use metal flashing cement for metal gutters.
• Fix larger holes with a patch of the same material as your gutter. Clean up the area, then secure the hole with a patch larger than the hole. Secure it with a waterproof adhesive or rivets for metal gutters. Finish by sealing the edges with gutter sealant.
• Secure gutters detached from the house due to the weight of debris and water. Once you have removed any debris, use a drill to reattach or replace gutter spikes with gutter screws, which provide better support.
• Reattach any loose downspouts: Look for any downspouts that have come loose. You can reattach them with downspout bands or screws. Securely attach it to the house and properly connect it to the gutter outlet.

Some Handy Prevention Tips

To avoid having to do this too often, take some preventative measures such as Installing gutter guards to prevent too much leaf fall from clogging up your gutters

If your property has many trees, consider regularly trimming nearby trees. This is also an excellent preventative against storm damage from falling branches caused by wind or lightning strikes.

Call a Professional If Unsure

If you have a larger property and find the heights and scale of work daunting – it would be wise to call a professional instead.

If you suffer from vertigo, we also strongly suggest hiring professionals or getting assistance.

Here’s Why You’ll Be Glad You Did It!

Either way, it’s best to make gutter cleaning a habit—a part of your regular home maintenance routine and spring cleaning checklist.

There are wider repercussions to your home if yoignoreto your guttering:

• Water Damage to the Roof
• Foundation Problems
• Basement Flooding
• Damage to Exterior Walls and Siding:
• Landscape Erosion and Damage
• Pest Infestation
• Mould and Mildew Growth

This simple job will contribute to the longevity of your home and fend off much worse consequences.