How to Clean Gutters with Leaf Blower
Keeping up with routine maintenance is an essential part of being a homeowner. Before winter begins, it’s important to remove any leaves on your lawn and house. In this article I’m going to discuss how you can save time by cleaning gutters with a leaf blower.
There are a handful of options when it comes to gutter cleaning. You can get on a ladder, stand on the ground with a leaf blower attachment, or even clean them from the roof. Let’s walk through each method in more detail.
Before You Begin:
Before starting any type of outdoor project, it’s important to prepare the work area. You will need to gather a leaf blower, ladder, and any other attachments you might need.
For electric machines make sure you have plenty of extensions cords, in order to clean those hard to reach areas. You will also need to move any cars, outdoor tools, or patio furniture away from your house.
It will be annoying to work around these objects during the cleaning process. But you also don’t want to drop your leaf blower and cause any damage to them. Once all of the steps have been completed, you can begin cleaning.
1. Try a Leaf Blower Attachment
This first method does require you to make a purchase (unless you already have one). You might be surprised to learn that there are many different types, shapes, and sizes of leaf blower attachments.
These aftermarket devices work just like vacuum attachments. You can easily snap them on in order to extend the range of your leaf blower. This works best on single story homes where you just need a few more feet to reach the gutters.
You can safely clear out all of the leaves from the ground. The attachment will go up and make a sharp turn down into the gutters. The one downside to this method is you won’t be able to visually inspect the gutters when cleaning.
2. Use a Ladder
You can still get the job done if you don’t want to go spend money on a leaf blower attachment. All you need is a ladder that will provide you the height needed to reach the gutters.
Start by setting the ladder securely in place and blow the leaves when you are at the top. Make sure that you are always holding the ladder with your one hand. This will get tiring, but you can switch hands if needed.
Keep in mind that this method will take more time overall, because it requires you to constantly be moving the ladder. You will probably only be able to clear around five feet of gutter space at a time, depending on how powerful your machine is.
3. Get on the Roof
Bringing your leaf blower up to the roof can also be an effective way to clean your gutters. Remember to always use caution when walking on a roof and other high areas. You shouldn’t try this method if you have a steep pitched roof.
It’s much easier on flatter surfaces and single story homes. Never turn your back to the edge, as you need to be aware of your footing at all times. Begin by slowly walking the edge of the roof while using the leaf blower.
When angled correctly, the leaves should easily come out of the gutters. It’s much safer to do this with a handheld tool and not a backpack leaf blower. They will be too heavy and can throw your balance off when you’re close to the edge.
How to Clean Gutters Safely
Don’t work alone – Having a partner help you is always the safest approach to cleaning gutters. One of the biggest safety concerns is having the ladder shift on you when in use. This is most common on areas with uneven surfaces. You can prevent this problem from occurring by using someone to stand on the base of the ladder while you’re at the top.
Use a harness – It’s critical to use a safety harness if you choose to work on the roof. These devices don’t cost that much money and they can save your life if you fall. One end attaches to the user with a lanyard, while the other end gets grounded to the roof. Brackets are attached under the shingles so that they stay secure and do not slip.
Don’t work in the rain – Another way to prevent a devastating injury is to only work in dry conditions. There’s no need to get on a ladder, or roof if it has just rained. You should allow enough time for all wet surfaces to dry before walking on them. Most roofs are designed to have a slope so rain does not puddle and you don’t need these surfaces to be slick when working.
Take your time – It’s very important to take your time whenever working in high areas. Rushing the job will not only make the results sloppy, but it can also bring safety mistakes. Make sure to plan out enough time for you to finish this project. It can take a few hours to properly clean your gutters, depending on the size of the house you’re working on.
Hire a service – Let’s face it – some people are stubborn. It doesn’t matter if you have been cleaning your own gutters for 50 years – there comes a time when you might need some help. If you find it difficult to get up a ladder, or heights make you uncomfortable, it might be a good idea to outsource the work. This kind of task doesn’t cost much money.
Final Thoughts
You now have a number of different options when it comes to how to clean gutters with a leaf blower. This household tool can be a very useful piece of equipment for fall cleaning.
It not only helps tidy up your lawn, but a leaf blower can also help clean your gutters. It’s important to do this before the first snow of the season, so you can avoid ice dams.
Ice dams can be dangerous to your roof and they begin to form when melting snow has no where to properly drain. Keep the exterior of your home clean by following a routine maintenance schedule.
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