Cleaning the Gutters

You need only a few tools to clean the gutters: a hose with a spray nozzle, a bucket, whisk broom (walis tingting), putty knife, and a small trowel.

Use the putty knife and trowel to dislodge and remove the leaves, twigs, and dirt. Use the broom to sweep small amounts of dirt into piles for easier pickup. You can also use your hands to scoop out the debris, but be sure to wear heavy duty gloves. Deposit all of the collected material in the bucket. After you have removed the debris, wash the gutters clean with a hose.

Next, examine the downspouts and make sure they are not clogged. If one is clogged, chances are that you’ll find wet leaves or debris in an elbow joint. try to pull the leaves out (you may have to remove the elbow to do this) Do not attempt to force leaves through the downspout; that will push them into the center section and make matters worse.

If the clog is deeper into the downspout, you may be able to clear it with water. Use the hose to shoot a strong stream into the opening. You may also remove the obstruction by forcing a plumber’s snake down the downspout. Now that everything is cleaned up in your gutter, it will be much easier to notice cracks so you can have the gutter repaired immediately.