Fall is such a beautiful season, but those leaves can really clog our gutters. While gutters may not be the most eye-catching part of a home, they are necessary. Without them, the chances of it happening increase Water will enter your house as water running off the roof is not directed away from the foundation. But this also means that most of the debris on our roof will fall into the gutters, causing them to stop working properly.

A clogged gutter not only drips water onto your home’s foundation, it also causes water to get under your shingles and damage the roof. The additional weight of a full gutter can also pull on the roof, causing structural damage.

The solution is easy: Clean the gutters. Products like Gutter Protection Mesh It can help reduce the amount of debris in your gutters, but it won’t stop it all or eliminate what’s there. You can climb on a ladder to clean your gutters with your hands or a power tool. ladleHowever, this method is both troublesome and dangerous.

The best and safest way to clean your gutters is with the help of power tools such as a leaf blower and pressure washer.

Gather your equipment

The equipment needed will vary depending on several factors, such as budget and home type.

Let’s start by touching on the money side of things. The biggest expense of using pressure washer Cleaning the gutters is the machine itself. There are many great options for pressure washers at a variety of prices.

Gas-powered pressure washers can deliver 4,000 PSI or more, but they’re expensive and all that power can actually damage your gutters. So, save money unless you need all that power.

If you need a pressure washer for tasks like cleaning your gutters and light housekeeping, you can save money and reduce the chance of damage to your home with an electric option like this model. Black & Decker costs $170. It’s easier to store and you don’t have to worry about maintaining the gas engine.

Now that we’ve taken care of the pressure washer, it’s time for its accessories. For safety reasons, the best place to clean gutters is on solid ground. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic SurgeonsEach year, 500,000 people are treated for ladder-related injuries.

To achieve this I use a power washer extension like below Thisadds sections to make the bar longer. But if you’re on a budget, it’s $140. telescope option Since it is one piece, it is easier to manage and you can quickly adjust the length.

Both accessory kits mentioned above have curved ends so you can aim the pressure washer wand vertically and spray it into your gutters. While these options will get the job done, I’m a double ended sprayer to do it faster. Whichever tip you use, choose a spray tip with a wide spray angle. Use the 60-degree angle for loose debris and the 40-degree nozzle for stuck-on debris.

Gutter cleaning tips when using a pressure washer

Using a pressure washer is simple. Point the spray nozzle at the bottom of the trough and spray. This will give you a reasonably clean gutter, but it won’t get all the debris and you may still experience clogs.

Here are some tips for using a pressure washer to clean your gutters.

• Wear safety glasses or face shield. The fact that the gutters are spraying out of the ground means that whatever is thrown out should come down on you.
• If you have delicate plants or shrubs, you can put a tarp over them first to prevent damage from falling debris and make cleanup easier.
• Check your outlet pipes before you start spraying to make sure they are not clogged. Run water through your hose and when clear water comes out of the end of the downspout, you’re done. If it is clogged, you may need to remove your downspout to remove debris.
• When spraying, start where your downspout connects to your gutter and spray far from him. This will remove sticks, leaves, and other debris from the downspout, reducing the chance of a clog.

By following these tips and using the right equipment, you can clean your gutters and prepare them for rain, sleet, or snow.

Gutters aren’t the only thing that needs to be prepared or maintained as the seasons change. Your lawn needs so it can endure the cold and be ready for Spring. And if it is not stored properly for the winter, outdoor power equipment He may not be ready to work next year either.