Ok, how do you clean your gutters?

hrdwrguy · #1

So we got a pretty good rain storm today and I discovered much to my dismay that water was coarsing over the gutters and down the side of the house. When the weather cleared up I pulled out the ladder, and, while clearing the muck I began to wonder how other people do this chore. I like to put a ladder up in a couple places and blast the leaves (when dry) with a leaf blower. At wet times like this (when I don't want to actually get on the roof) I have a fiberglass pole with a springy light bulb changer on the end that allows me to reach a little more than ten feet of gutter left and right of the ladder.

So what do all of you creative people do? And more importantly what Spyderco do you do it with? :D

Mike

EarthDog · #2

Ladder and heavy gloves. Sorry, no :spyder: .

Hmm, it's been a while.

yablanowitz · #3

I usually set the ladder, hook up enough garden hose to make sure I can reach everywhere, screw on the high pressure nozzle, then turn on the water and haul a bunch of hose up on the roof. Then I just walk around the roof, washing everything to the downspouts. It should be noted, however, that I live in Kansas, where the gutters are more likely to full of windblown dirt than leaves :D

Using the washdown method usually just leaves me with a few spots where leaves or pine needles form a dam, requiring manual removal (i.e. pull on the heavy gloves and dig out a load).

Th232 · #4

Manually, with a long stick. Although we've gotten this netting over the gutters, which makes the leaves just slide off. Haven't had to clean the gutters ever since

Zwaplat · #5

Ladder. Small shovel. Gloves. Bucket.
The end.

The Deacon · #6

Ah, another of the "joys" of home-ownership I don't miss at all since becoming an apartment dweller. :D Back when I did, I used a modified hoe, plus the obligatory ladder and heavy gloves, and the traditional "colorful" language. :D

gordonk · #7

yablanowitz wrote:I usually set the ladder, hook up enough garden hose to make sure I can reach everywhere, screw on the high pressure nozzle, then turn on the water and haul a bunch of hose up on the roof. Then I just walk around the roof, washing everything to the downspouts. It should be noted, however, that I live in Kansas, where the gutters are more likely to full of windblown dirt than leaves :D

Using the washdown method usually just leaves me with a few spots where leaves or pine needles form a dam, requiring manual removal (i.e. pull on the heavy gloves and dig out a load).

Pretty close to the same for me. I have one of those "U" shaped nozzles that hooks on to the garden hose. There have been times, though, when branches get in there, and then it's gloves, gardening shovel, bucket time when the mud, leave, etc get packed in and the pressure hose doesn't quite get thru. I also get windblown dirt and yes, that stuff once it mixes with leaves, especially that clay based stuff can be tough stuff.

- gord

Stevie Ray · #8

With a ladder and by hand. I hate it. It's a real hassle. If I don't keep up with it, I get water in the basement. Sucks .. :mad:

yablanowitz · #9

Stevie Ray wrote:With a ladder and by hand. I hate it. It's a real hassle. If I don't keep up with it, I get water in the basement. Sucks .. :mad:

How do you get water in the basement? You act like it falls out of the sky or something. :confused:

Oh, wait! You aren't in Kansas, maybe water DOES fall out of the sky there! :D

Stevie Ray · #10

yablanowitz wrote:How do you get water in the basement? You act like it falls out of the sky or something. :confused:

Oh, wait! You aren't in Kansas, maybe water DOES fall out of the sky there! :D

Liberal, Kansas huh ... I was there on business many years ago... Seems I recall that your town folk maintain some sort of shrine to Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz as the town's major tourist attraction. :D Is that still the case?

yablanowitz · #11

Not only do we still maintain it, we have even improved it!
My girlfriend is the City Beautification Director, and she has done a bunch of landscaping around town, including around Dorothy's House.

We also have one of the best Air Museums in the world, if you like airplanes. If I recall correctly, it was ranked #4 in the country.

Enough thread-jacking, back to the gutters! :D

Stevie Ray · #12

yablanowitz wrote:We also have one of the best Air Museums in the world, if you like airplanes. If I recall correctly, it was ranked #4 in the country.

Enough thread-jacking, back to the gutters! :D

Forgot about the air museum. When I saw it years ago it was great. Definitely worth a visit.

OK .. back to gutters .. I've actually got to get back on the roof this weekend. UGH ..

snuffaluff · #13

Last time I cleaned the gutters, I dragged out the air compressor and climbed up on the roof. Air blasted those nasty little leaves right out of there! Ofcourse, then you have to clean up the mess on the ground, which is ok cause I have this leaf vacuum/blower so it's kinda fun actually. hahahaha

I'm going to look into the screens that go over the gutters though, as stated above, they are great.

kbuzbee · #14

Used to just use a ladder, hose and gloves. Getting older I decided I should stop doing that and a couple years ago we put Gutter Helmet on. It works great and I don't go up on the roof any more.

As an aside, a good friend of ours (same general age) was up cleaning his 2 weeks ago. The ladder gave and he broke his leg and shattered his ankle. His wife was out. He had to crawl into the house to dial 911. He went through rebuild surgury two days ago but they are calling this a "life changing event". Prayers for John are most welcome. He has a long road ahead.

Ken

snuffaluff · #15

OUCH! I've had a ladder go out on me before, but luckily I wan't up that high(and I was younger/more durable). Prayers sent for a speedy recovery

fellyjr · #16

I use a Stihl BR600 backpack blower and get up on the roof whenever possible. where I live anything over a 6/12 pitch is not very common so I just walk the edge and blast anything thats in the gutter out with the greatest of ease. Of course lets give credit where credit is due, the BR600 blows over 200MPH and 712 CFM so my gutter cleaning is a breeze!

tonydahose · #17

the wind blows mine right out so i dont need to but the easiest way i have seen was a guy connected some 3" (around) pvc into a "u". a leg of the u was maybe 4" ( so it rests on the gutter's edge) the rest long enugh to hook up to his garage vac and walk along the edge of the house and suck it all up.