We all love the autumn, especially in areas where the leaves change color into beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow. I hope a bunch of you blog readers have reflected this season in your outdoor décor, but this week I’m focusing on an issue that is sometimes forgotten in the buildup to the winter – cleaning gutters. Keeping your gutters clean is quite important considering the damage that can be done if your gutters get overloaded with the weight of snow and leaves. Here are some tips to help you with your gutter cleaning: 

Blowers Help: If you are lucky enough to have a leaf blower, you may be able to clean out your gutters effectively if they are lower to the ground. Simply aim the blower at the ends or the back of your gutter and the leaves will come flying out. You’ll want to wear a mask!

Beginning – Clear any debris from your gutters that may impede your cleaning efforts or possible hurt you in the process – i.e. stones, etc. This goes for loose leaves as well – removing pounds of leaves manually will help you once you get to the meat and potatoes of cleaning your gutter.

Safety First – Put on safety gloves and goggles, especially if using a hose (the easiest method) to blast the leaves out of your gutter. Be sure to aim the leaves at the end of the gutter with the spout in case some errant leaves flow down instead of out.

Don’t Forget the Drain – One of the most forgotten parts of gutter cleaning is the drainpipe, so always clear this out when you finish empty the main part of your gutter. If there is stoppage in the pipe, this overflow can be destructive to your house and roof.

Add Some Décor – While you are up on your roof, consider installing a rain chain at the ends of your gutter to add some flair to your water draining system. Not only is a rain chain beautiful in its own right, but it will draw attention away from unsightly gutters and drainpipes.