Gutter cleaning is a task that is typically done twice a year — once in spring to remove winter debris and again in late fall to remove autumn leaves. At least one of those cleanings should be done by a professional so that the gutters can be completely serviced

1. Debris Removal

Nearly all gutter service visits begin with the removal of the debris. The gutters are typically accessed via ladders so that the service techs don't have to climb on the roof — which is dangerous and carries the risk of roof damage. They will keep an eye on safety by using well-secured ladders of the proper height, along with necessary safety equipment.

First sludge is scooped out of the gutter troughs, either by hand or using a special vacuum-like machine to suck it out. The muck is scooped into a collection bin to be carted away. Next, the downspouts are cleared of any gunk that has collected inside, which will ensure that the water in the trough can flow through the spouts without any issues.

2. Trough Flushing

Some residue will remain in the gutters and downspouts after much removal, but flushing the system solves that. For mildly dirty gutters it is usually possible to flush them with a garden hose. The flow of water pushes out any remaining dirt.

Higher-pressure water may be needed for thick muck or algae coatings inside the gutters and downspouts. Plain water may be used, or your service tech may flush with water containing an algae killer if there is an algae overgrowth in the guttering system.

3. Bracket Repairs

Sometimes small damages make themselves known following cleaning. The most common type of damage is missing or damaged brackets. Heavy buildup in the trough puts stress on the brackets, which can cause them to fail. Gutters that are sagging or not sloping properly toward a downspout are likely suffering some sort of damage to the hanging brackets.

Your gutter technician can replace broken brackets with new ones. In some cases, they may simply need to tighten or adjust an existing bracket in order to fix the sag or slope of the trough. 

4. Leak Repairs

Unless your home has seamless gutters, leaks may also make themselves known after cleaning. The gutter service tech will carefully monitor the gutters for possible leaks while they are being flushed. These will be noted so that they can be repaired afterward.

Most leaks occur at the joint where two pieces of guttering connect. They can usually be fixed with the help of silicone caulking. This must be applied to the dry gutter trough during a time when moisture isn't expected for at least a day, otherwise, the caulk may not have time to dry completely.

Contact a gutter company if your home is overdue for a gutter cleaning and general service visit.  

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