If you live in an area with tall trees, it’s necessary to clean your gutters at least twice a year. Otherwise, the accumulated leaves and debris will lead to the buildup of silt and water which may cause severe damage to your property and basement flooding. The best way to get rid of all the accumulated dirt is to use a special gutter cleaning set combined with a pressure washer that can be operated from the ground. You should always wear proper protective clothing, such as non-slip footwear, gloves and eye protection. Also, it is advisable to work with a ladder that has good footing and that is securely attached. You should never stand on a ladder while using a pressure washer, as the force from the recoil of the wand can throw you off balance and even cause serious injuries.
Gutter cleaning with a brush, broom or vacuum cleaner is labor intensive and requires moving the ladder every few feet in order to reach each section of the gutter. The result is often a messy and incomplete job. Using a pressure washer is much faster and more effective. It breaks up mud, dislodges the heavy debris and flushes out all of the leaves and other garbage. The process is safer as well because the pressure is limited to a safe level that won’t damage the gutters and downpipes.
Choosing a suitable attachment for gutter cleaning with a pressure washer is important. It is a good idea to choose a long-hooked one that snaps onto the end of the spray gun and can be positioned over a dirty gutter. The attachment has two nozzles that direct the water jet to the rear, flushing out all the dirt from the gutter. These attachments are available at most hardware stores, and some come in kits along with a telescoping wand for extending the handle of a standard pressure washer to the height needed for gutter cleaning.
Another option is to use a gutter cleaning claw that looks like a small C3PO-type robot that crawls into the gutter and scoops out the debris. It is a more expensive alternative to the gutter cleaning kit, but it does allow you to skip using a ladder altogether.
For those who prefer to stay on the ground while cleaning, a gutter-cleaning claw or wet/dry vacuum attachment is available that works with a standard shop vac or garden hose. It is a clamp that attaches to the nozzle of a pressure washer and is placed into the gutter. When the gun is turned on, it sprays water over the gutter. This forces the water into the corners and into the bottom of the gutter, where it can break up any remaining mud or debris. For this type of attachment, the length of the nozzle is crucial because it must be long enough to reach into the gutter and into the corners. For maximum safety, it is recommended to use a wet/dry vacuum attachment on a low-pressure setting and not use the full power of the pressure washer. If you need professional gutter cleaning services make sure you hire a reputable Alexandria power washing services.