Ensuring the spouting, gutters and downpipes on your roof is another of those things that you don’t want to do but really should stay on top of.  Dried leaves and other debris can stop water from draining away effectively, causing overflowing and are also a fire hazard in warmer months.  Birds are also quite fond of building their nests in gutters of your house.  The good news is that if you stay on top of it, you won’t have to dedicate as much time to it next year.

Preparing to clean your spouting and gutters

Preparation is always key when setting about any task so make sure you have all the equipment you will need within easy reaching distance.  You will need a ladder, bucket, gloves and tools to assist removing the debris and dried leaves.  

Clearing away debris

Use your gloved hand to remove the debris and place it in your bucket.  If there is anything stuck to the spouting or gutter, use a tool to scrape it loose.  When using a ladder, make sure you have 3 points of contact at all times.  This means you should have both feet and one hand or two hands and one foot in contact with the ladder all the time.  Falling from a ladder can lead to serious injury.

Other tools

There are tools available to assist cleaning your spouting and gutters without using a ladder, such as extendable hoses, vacuum cleaners with attachments or other extendable tools.  Some homeowners also choose to install leaf guards to their spouting and gutters to prevent leaves and debris building up in their spouting and gutters.  Guards also prevent birds from nesting on your roof.