COMMENT NETTOYER VOS GOUTTIÈRES

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS

GET YOUR HANDS OUT OF THE GUTTERS

In spring and fall, when leaves give us a hard time, your gutters can become a favorite shelter for unwanted visitors if they are not cleaned regularly. Accumulated debris (leaves, twigs, nuts, etc.) can prevent rainwater from draining and can damage the roof, foundation, and basement – just like snow and ice buildup in winter. To make the job easier and clean clogged gutters effectively, you need the right knowledge and tools. Use these practical tips and tricks in preparation for the semi-annual gutter cleaning festival and enjoy the change of season by spending less time in your gutters!

There are two schools of thought regarding gutter cleaning: the old-fashioned method and the modern method facilitated by the use of technology. The old-fashioned method, manual cleaning, requires a ladder, a shovel or trowel, non-slip shoes, a debris bag, and a garden hose. Working from a ladder is a fairly simple solution, yet the risks of injury to yourself and the risks of damaging your gutters, if the ladder rests on them, are multiplied.

WORK SMART

Why not completely eliminate the risks by simply staying on the ground? Work smarter thanks to a range of accessories designed to convert your STIHL blowers and pressure washers into gutter cleaning tools. These accessories allow you to work from the ground. The gutter cleaning kit for STIHL blowers includes plastic tubes that extend over ten feet to reach the roof without a ladder. Above all, make sure to wear the appropriate protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, and hearing protection. Wearing long sleeves is also recommended since the blower's airflow can cause debris to fall. Simply attach the long tube from the gutter kit, which includes a 90° elbow, to reach the gutters from the ground. The STIHL gutter cleaning accessory for STIHL pressure washers also makes it easier to access the gutters without using a bulky ladder. Be vigilant. This is powerful equipment. Be careful when using a STIHL pressure washer, as the high pressure can produce a powerful jet.

 

GUTTER DOWNSPOUTS

Cleaning the gutter downspouts also requires some prowess – so-called essential prowess. Gutter downspouts are used to direct water properly, and when they are clogged, it affects the flow and leads to the problems mentioned above. If your gutter downspouts go into the ground, you will probably need to remove the bottom piece before you start cleaning. First, check if your downspouts are clogged by pouring water from the top using a garden hose to see if the water drains properly at the outlet. If you only see a trickle of water, use a drain snake to target and remove the debris or flush it out with a pressure washer.

Yes, cleaning the gutters can be long and laborious, but it is possible to make the job easier by removing the gutter attachment from your blower and simply blowing the debris away from the house. You can also take preventive measures such as installing gutter guards to reduce the frequency of cleaning. You will still need to inspect them in spring and fall. Hopefully, the modern and technological school of thought for cleaning gutters will save you a lot of time and effort so that you can focus on the more important things in life.

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