In our last blog post, we discussed gutter cleaning tools if you’d rather not hire a professional to maintain your gutters. But how do you know which tool to pick? It depends on several factors. Again, if you’d rather hand this responsibility over to professionals, or if you have questions about cleaning your gutters, consider Alamance Insulation and Gutters to do the job for you. We professionally install gutters, including seamless gutters and gutter guards, and we also do excellent repair, cleaning, and maintenance on your gutters at your home. Call us today!
What to consider when choosing the perfect gutter cleaning tool:
Gutter Conditions
Before cleaning gutters, it’s worth assessing their condition. If the gutters have seen better days, it might be better to replace them. Certain issues are fixable, like leaks and loose brackets. Dents and holes could be a different story.
A dent in your gutter can lead to a backup very quickly, as it will affect the slope of the gutter, if only for a very small space. This change in pitch will collect dirt and debris, creating a dam that obstructs flow. While clearing that dam will help, the fix is temporary and a backup will likely recur.
Holes will drip in wet weather and can cause damage to your foundation over time. You can use a sealant to patch the hole, but replacing the gutter might be a better option for large holes.
Attachment Length
DIYers who prefer to stay on the ground while cleaning need to consider the attachment’s length. Whether it’s a shop vac kit, garden hose attachment, or pressure washer wand, the device must reach over and into the gutters to be effective.
For gutter claws, length is still worth paying attention to. Most of these claws come as stand-alone attachments, requiring the separate purchase of an extendable pole. It’s important to choose a pole that will reach a manageable distance without being awkward while on a ladder. A painter’s pole (available on Amazon) or broomstick will help.
Necessary Equipment
Certain types of products won’t work without additional necessary equipment. For instance, pressure washer kits require a pressure washer. To blow leaves out of a gutter with a wet-dry vac kit, unsurprisingly, a wet-dry vac is necessary.
General must-haves include gloves, eye protection, a garden hose, and a garbage bag for debris. For blowing your leaves out of a gutter, it’s a good idea to keep a rake handy as well.
Keep in mind that regardless of the gutter cleaner, you’ll probably still need a ladder at some point. It’s entirely possible for a branch or large obstruction to lodge itself in a gutter, so it’s not always feasible to clean them from the ground.
Ease of Use
Before choosing a gutter-cleaning product, understand that these products may not all be easy to work with. Using any type of wand, be it for a pressure washer or a leaf blower, does require a bit of skill and dexterity.
These products can be somewhat physically demanding as well. Holding a vacuum blower or pressure washer gun at a height and angle that reaches your gutters while the water pressure or airflow pushes the wand backward can wear on the user.
Beyond that, choose a product that is easy to set up. For claw-type gutter cleaners, a simple screw-on attachment method is best. For vacuum and blower attachments, find a product that attaches easily and securely to avoid it falling or blowing off while in use. Most pressure washers use quick-fit fittings, so look for an attachment that snaps in easily.