When it comes to taking care of your home, cleaning your gutters is an important task that you can’t overlook. If you leave them clogged, it can lead to water damage, leaks, and worse, it can even cause structural issues. So, it’s crucial to maintain them. However, a gutter has several parts, including the downspouts, which you need to pay attention to as well.
For those who don’t know, these are the vertical pipes that carry water from the gutters to the ground. The downspouts, along with the horizontal gutters, need to work well together to keep water away from your home.
To make sure the system works effectively, you’ll need four essential tools to clean them out. With these tools, you can take care of your gutters and protect your home from costly damage.
#1 Pressure Washer
Let’s start with a tool that almost all of us have used at some point or another. A pressure washer uses high-pressure water to clean surfaces, and is commonly used for cleaning decks and vehicles. Due to its force, we don’t advise you to use it to clean your roof, but it can be great for cleaning your downspouts.
Use a pressure washer with a gutter cleaning attachment to blast away dirt, leaves, and other debris from your downspouts.
Here is how to safely and effectively use a pressure washer for gutter cleaning:
- Before you use this tool, take care of your safety. Wear safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself.
- Select a pressure washer with a PSI (pounds per square inch) rating appropriate for your gutter material.
- This can range from 1500-2500. Anything higher than the recommended value can cause additional damage.
- Keep the pressure washer wand at least 6 inches away from the gutter surface to avoid causing damage.
Best Pressure Washer
While there are numerous pressure washers available, if you’re in need of one, consider the M MINGLE Telescoping Pressure Washer. It features a 20-foot aluminum wand designed for high-pressure cleaning, ideal for tough tasks. The telescopic spray includes two extension wands, five spray nozzle tips, two couplers, and a support belt, providing all the essentials for effective gutter and downspout cleaning. It’s also capable of reaching up to 4000 PSI, to help you effortlessly handle challenging cleaning jobs.
#2 Downspout Strainer
Many of you might not be aware of this, but a downspout strainer can come to your aid if you are fed up with gutters and downspouts that clog regularly.
A downspout strainer is an effective tool that can help prevent clogs in your downspouts. They are available in various shapes, and are attached to the top of the downspout, acting as a filter to catch leaves, twigs, and other forms of debris. By keeping these larger particles out, the strainer helps maintain smooth water flow through the downspout, and when coupled with the right gutter guard, it significantly reduces dust and debris accumulation. You can find them on sites such as Amazon and Lowe’s.
It’s essential to clean the strainer to ensure it functions properly. Over time, debris can accumulate and reduce its effectiveness, but this can be easily fixed by clearing it out with a brush, or by hand.
One great product is Dele’s Downspout Guard. Made of durable aluminum, these strainers can be installed in seconds without the need for any tools. The filter is 3 inches tall and 6 inches wide, allowing you to easily bend it to fit into different sized downspouts, effectively keeping your gutter system in good shape for longer.
#3 Gutter Scoop
The next tool on our list is a gutter scoop. It is a handy tool specifically designed to help you remove debris such as leaves, twigs, and dirt that can accumulate in your gutter channels and downspouts over time.
A gutter scoop typically has a curved shape and a long handle that gives it the appearance of a large spoon or a ladle. The curved shape allows it to easily fit into the narrow gutter channels and downspout openings, making it easier to remove debris and prevent clogs.
With its long handle, you can even attach it to a pole or a broom to reach further into the downspout. It also allows you to reach the high area on your roof where the gutters are installed without having to climb a ladder, making the cleaning process safer and more efficient. Additionally, consider a scoop with a sturdy construction that can withstand repeated use and handle tough debris.
This rugged gutter spoon from The Gutter Tool is the ultimate solution for gutter cleaning. It has an ergonomic design that attaches to most extension poles, allowing you to easily clean gutters without constantly repositioning your ladder. With a reach of up to 20 feet, you can effortlessly pull debris towards you, saving time and effort. It has a unique-shaped hook that makes it perfect for pulling debris out from under gutter hangers and cleaning behind skylights and other roofing structures.
#4 Drain Snake
The last tool we’ll discuss is what’s known as a drain snake or plumber snake. This is a valuable tool for clearing clogs in downspouts, as it’s made from a flexible, thin piece of plastic or metal that can reach deep into the downspout to break up and remove obstructions.
To use this gutter cleaning tool, insert the snake into the downspout opening. Push it gently down your downspout, twisting it as you go to help break up the clog. Continue to push the snake until you feel resistance, indicating that you have reached the clog.
Continue to twist the snake to break it up and dislodge it from the downspout. You may need to pull the snake back and forth several times to get the area fully clear. To make sure the job is complete, you can use a pressure washer to push out the remaining debris.
The Forlivese Plumbing Snake Drain Auger is a 25-foot flexible tool that clears deep pipe blockages without chemicals. It’s made of durable ABS and carbon steel wire cable with a anti-slip handle design for ease of use. Not only can you use it for downspouts, but you can also use it to clean areas such as your kitchen sinks and bathroom drains.
Also Read: How To Transform Your Home With Faux Copper Gutters
Best Gutter Services In Oklahoma
Maintaining your gutters and downspouts is an important task to ensure your home remains safe and free from water damage. By using the right tools like the ones we’ve described here, you can easily clean your gutters and downspouts and keep them functioning properly for a long time.
However, cleaning your downspouts is not as easy as it seems. Many homeowners who take the DIY route, often face more problems in the long run. If you don’t want this to happen, get the help you need from the team at A. Fricker Roofing & Waterproofing. We are the best gutter contractors in the area, and can help you repair, install, and maintain your gutter system. Give us a call today at (918) 402-7167 to speak with one of our experts.
