Gutter Cleaning Methods

These gutters were layered with sand, sludge, water, and leaves.

Gutter cleaning methods vary from company to company. The desired results are the same though, gutters that are clear of debris and allow water to flow unobstructed. Some window cleaning and gutter cleaning companies use leaf blowers, wet/dry vacuums with special attachments, pressure washers, and old the old fashioned scoop and grab.

Nothing right or wrong with any of these gutter cleaning methods. Different scenarios require different approaches. Using a leaf blower is ideal when a home has a lot of trees that drop leaves across the roof. A leaf blower will make short work of clearing the roof. Of course those leaves will need to be raked up after landing in the yard, or skimmed from your swimming pool.

Using a wet/dry vacuum is another option. This gutter cleaning method definitely has it’s advantages. The debris is sucked out of the gutters and into the vacuum, sparing a mess on the ground. Of course the vacuum will need to be emptied as it fills up. Vacuums don’t always have the suction to pull up dry hardened sand and shingle particles.

Pressure washers certainly have the power to clear away any debris, but what a mess! Dirty water, mud, and leaves end up plastered to the side of the house, windows, and even nearby vehicles. You end up creating more work in the end.

Our Preferred Gutter Cleaning Method

The tried and true gutter cleaning method, a ladder, hands, and a bucket.

Then of course there’s the old fashioned gutter cleaning method. Throw up the ladder, grab a bucket for debris collection, and put on some gloves. This is ShinePro Window Cleanings’ preferred method. It’s not the easiest technique, or the funnest. But it puts you right in front of your work. We attach “S” hooks to two buckets, one to hold tools, the other to put debris into. Take both up the ladder,hook them onto the gutter, and begin scooping with hands, gutter scooping tools, and putty knives. This keeps the mess at a minimum, and nothing is missed or left behind. After all the debris is collected, we gently flush the gutters with a garden hose until they are clear.

In conclusion, whichever gutter cleaning methods or techniques you chose, safety is key. Be mindful of power lines if you will be using an extension from the ground. Check your footing and angle if you will be climbing a ladder. Do not walk on any roof with too steep a pitch. You could always forgo the risk and hassle and call your local licensed and bonded window and gutter cleaner (ahem, sorry had to throw that in there) to take care of your gutters for a fee.

Brandon Scott, Owner of ShinePro Window Cleaning