One essential task that always gets put off is cleaning your Austin rental property’s gutters. The real worry is that the longer you wait to clean them, the more difficult getting your gutters unclogged will be. When rain gutters are not flowing correctly, various types of damage can happen, from the roof to the foundation. The right method is to clean your rental home’s gutters regularly each spring and fall. By following a few helpful tips and how-to’s, you can simplify the job of cleaning your rental’s gutters.
Initially, get ready to clean your gutters by gathering everything you’ll need to do the task: a ladder, a bucket or two, some heavy gloves, a hand trowel or gutter scoop, and a garden hose with a spray nozzle attachment. You could also opt for special gutter cleaning tools if you think it would make the job relatively easy.
Select a dry day to clean your gutters for best results, one not too early after heavy rain. Wet leaves and debris, not to mention muddy ground, can make clearing out your gutters even more complex.
Next, set up your ladder so that it is securely positioned on level ground. Use appropriate ladder safety or a helper to keep your ladder stable as you travel up and down. Do not climb on the roof to view your gutters. This is potentially lethal and could also damage your roof shingles or tiles. If you are not comfortable on a ladder, hiring a professional to clean your gutters for you may be best.
Start near the downspout side of your gutter and work your way toward the other end. Wearing gloves, consider clearing leaves and large debris by hand. Then use a little trowel or gutter scoop for the more compacted debris inside.
When much of the debris has been removed, you may use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to rinse away the remaining dirt. At this point, start at the end farther from the downspout and work your way toward it. Do not spray under roof shingles since this may trigger water damage. If you wish, you may utilize a hose attachment or pressure washer to get your gutters fully clear.
After the gutters are clear, your second action is to check the downspouts for obstructions and debris, especially if you find that water isn’t draining rapidly. You can try to spray directly down the spout or feed the hose up from the ground. For very stubborn clogs, consider using a plumber’s snake.
When you are confident that the downspouts are draining properly, it’s essential to revisit your entire gutter system for developing problems. To do that, flush the gutters one more time, searching for proper drainage and leaks at the seams. If you find water pooling anywhere in the gutters, you may need to adjust the slope to ensure the water flows out and down smoothly.
If you discover cracks, leaks, or sagging sections, you may have to make more complicated repairs. As with everything else, gutters will need to be repaired and replaced from time to time to maintain them in excellent working order. Small cracks can be sealed with some gutter sealant, but you may need to replace the entire gutter section for bigger holes.
Ultimately, install gutter screens across the downspout openings to make cleaning your downspouts easier later on. Or, you could let Real Property Management All Connect handle your gutter maintenance for you and never worry about it again! To learn more about our Austin property management services, contact us online.
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