The Challenges of Windsor Gutter Cleaning
Have your rain gutters become dirty over time? While it may be frustrating, there’s ultimately not much we can do to stop gutters from collecting debris. It’s an inevitable part of property ownership, and even with gutter guards, your gutters will eventually require cleaning. However, don’t just leap into the process of Windsor gutter cleaning. Not without doing some planning first. As it turns out, there are many challenges involved with gutter cleaning, and the better-prepared you are for the work, the more likely you are to overcome these difficulties.
We are Spotless Abode, a professional gutter cleaning business in Windsor, ON, and we’re ready to tell you more! Learn about common gutter cleaning challenges—and how to solve them—below.
#1: Treating Gutter Exteriors Too Harshly
An important part of the gutter cleaning process is brushing the exterior surfaces of gutters. These surfaces will build up thick coats of debris, such as dirt, moss, mold, algae, dead insects, and bird droppings. This reduces the overall beauty of your gutters, and in turn, the overall beauty of your property. However, be careful before you just start scrubbing your gutters down without mercy. Improper treatment can result in visible gutter damage, and you’ll walk away from the work with gutters that still don’t look the way they should.
To avoid scratching, scraping, or scuffing rain gutters, we recommend using soft-bristled brushes. These brushes are specially designed for delicate surfaces and won’t cause any damage to them. Additionally, we recommend the use of a gentle cleaning solution to weaken any debris on your gutters’ exteriors. Something as simple as dish soap and hot water will do the trick for DIYers.
#2: Not Putting Safety First
Of course, it’s important to keep your gutters safe while cleaning them. However, you also need to keep yourself safe, too. When cleaning gutters, you’ll have to climb a ladder so you can reach them, and this alone is a safety risk. Remember the three-contact rule anytime you’re using a ladder. What this means is that between your two arms and two legs, three of them should be on the ladder at all times. You may also want to consider a safety harness. This specialized piece of safety equipment will keep you attached to your ladder in case you slip.
There are other pieces of safety equipment you should consider for your gutter cleaning project. For example, you’ll definitely want a pair of gloves. That’s because there’s a real possibility that you will handle debris that could cause disease while cleaning gutters. The main culprit is bird nests. Birds carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites, so when removing their abandoned nests, don’t use your bare hands. Be sure to wash your hands afterwards, too.
#3: Picking the Right Time For the Work
When you’ve decided you want to clean your gutters, you might try to break out your equipment and begin the work right away. But hold your horses! Have you considered whether right now is the best time for the project? There are many different factors you should think about when deciding when to clean your gutters. For example, do you have any other responsibilities on the day that you plan to do the work? If so, you’ll need to finish the project, or you could wind up late to your next appointment. We recommend giving yourself several hours to completely clean your gutters—the work might take longer than you first expect!
You should also check the forecast and consider the weather as you figure out when to clean your gutters. Do you really want to climb up a ladder and clean your gutters on a rainy day? Probably not. It’s not just uncomfortable. It’s unsafe. You’re considerably more likely to trip and fall off your ladder if it’s slick with rainwater. Wait for a day when it’s nice and sunny out, and your gutter cleaning project will be so much easier!
#4: Properly Disposing of Gutter Debris
A big problem that you’ll face when cleaning out gutters is dealing with all the debris that has collected inside of them. Over time, gutters will fill up with various unwanted materials, impeding the flow of rainwater and causing your gutters to overflow. This debris includes, but is not limited to, sticks, branches, bird nests, and trash. In order to completely restore your gutters’ functionality, you’ll have to remove all these items—but where exactly should you put these items as you pluck them out of your gutters?
Don’t just chuck these items onto the ground and forget about them. As with all waste, it should be properly disposed of. Keep a trash bag nearby that you can fill up as you go. You can even compost organic debris if you’d like. Whatever floats your boat! Just don’t leave your yard riddled with waste because that’s just solving one problem by creating another.
#5: Biting Off More Than You Can Chew
Are you cut out for Windsor gutter cleaning projects? For many people, the answer is no. To completely clean gutters inside and out, you’ll need to invest a significant amount of time into the work. This work is physically demanding, so if you’re not well-rested and energized, it can prove to be more difficult than necessary. If you’re in a position where you feel intimidated by the DIY gutter cleaning process, don’t worry. Your gutters don’t have to stay dirty because you can schedule an appointment with your friends at Spotless Abode.
We are a locally owned and operated pressure washing and exterior cleaning business, and it’s always our pleasure to clean gutters for residential and commercial clients. Simply contact us online with information about your gutters, and we’ll give you a free cost estimate for your project. That way, you know what you’re paying before you’ve even scheduled an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you soon. We look forward to restoring your gutters—as well as the smile on your face!
