Cleaning gutters and roof valleys

[deerefan]

I have roughly 200’ of gutters to clean monthly, more so in the fall. When doing this, I also get all the leaves and twigs out the roof valleys. I clean the gutters by hand and with a blower then rinse with house at end. My roof pitch is very steep, making cleaning the valleys very unsafe. How do you guys do it? Do any of you use the leaf guards on gutters? Looking for a safer and more efficient way to do this.

 

[kenmac]

My roof is also steep. I installed some screen (made for gutters) last yr. It doesn't keep out everything, but so far it's worked pretty well. Better than nothing


https://www.amazon.com/Amerimax-Hom...ocphy=9056941&hvtargid=pla-594809569117&psc=1

 

[TnAndy]

I got an extension tube that goes on my leaf blower and now stand on the ground to clean the gutters.

Works best if you blow the stuff out frequently and don't let it get wet and mat down.

 

[bunyip]

We have got rid of leaf guard as it lets the leaves go but the dust accumulates and turns into mud and clogs the gutters and it becomes a major cleaning job.
Just go up as required and use our hands the valley SWMBO does as she is better with heights than what I am although we are considering getting someone to do it along with some grass cutting in gutters that we cannot do ourselves because it is too steep.

 

[ericm979]

I made a roof broom. A lightweight push broom head and a couple lengths of thinwall tubing (made for cheap broom handles) connected together. I can use it from a ladder to brush pine needles off the parts of the roof that are too steep to walk on.

 

[two_bit_score]

I use my Stihl gas blower to blow the debris out of the gutters from the roof. All areas are pretty accessible.

One house has gutter guards which work vey well. They were expensive but it is a rental and I could expense it. Saves worrying about that in doing maintenance on that one.

TBS

 

[RNeumann]

You definitely need gutter guards or gutter helmets. The type will depend on the debris. Some types work better with certain debris (big leaves vs pine needles). So buy some in small quantities and do some tests before buying enough to do the whole place.

With that much debris is sounds like some tree work is needed.

 

[deerefan]

You definitely need gutter guards or gutter helmets. The type will depend on the debris. Some types work better with certain debris (big leaves vs pine needles). So buy some in small quantities and do some tests before buying enough to do the whole place.

With that much debris is sounds like some tree work is needed.

Tree work is needed. There is a massive oak 30 feet from the house causing the majority of the issue. We have been trying to get it removed for about 6 months but been too wet to get truck in.

 

[RNeumann]

I had oak debris that worked well with Amazon screen type guards that took a little screw every 2’ or so.
The new place has pine trees and those screen type don’t work too good. I have the helmet type on those. Helmet type is way more expensive.
With that I’d hit up your local hardware store, Home Depot or Amazon and buy a few pieces of a highly rated brand. Verify it works and go from there.

The valley isn’t something I have an easy solution for. Any blowing from below risks just pushing stuff up/into the shingles.

 

[dieselscout80]

While our roof is not steep, but I still use a blower to clean out about 100' of gutter and it only takes about 15 minutes.

 

[crashz]

I'm struggling with gutter issues myself. Partly because they collect only half the water. The remaining half drips between the gutter and facia.

But for the valleys, could you use a roof rake? Meant for snow, but works for other things too. Maybe even fashion a broom end instead of the blade?

 

[rekees4300]

I have roughly 200’ of gutters to clean monthly, more so in the fall. When doing this, I also get all the leaves and twigs out the roof valleys. I clean the gutters by hand and with a blower then rinse with house at end. My roof pitch is very steep, making cleaning the valleys very unsafe. How do you guys do it? Do any of you use the leaf guards on gutters? Looking for a safer and more efficient way to do this.

As a senior citizen it's very dangerous to climb ladders. This past summer I had all 300' of my old, damaged, defective house gutters removed and replaced by LeafGuard. LeafGuard Gutters | Seamless Rain Gutter Protection Despite numerous large Pine trees with millions of needles near the house the new gutters have not clogged up or failed to properly drain all water away from the house.

 

[Highvoltagehands]

I don’t think there’s a single catchall answer for what works best for protecting or cleaning gutters, You kinda have to find what works best for your situation. IMO if you have trees and/or wind, some High Quality gutter guards are gonna be your best friend especially w/some of the newer technologies even filtering out sand/grit with the leaves. I install hinged guards at the ends for easy access to suck, blow or hose Gutter runs. I do like blowing from ground when a mess doesn’t matter but around courtyards or gardens or really messy gutters that need clearing, I prefer to use “Rigid Wet/Dry Shop Vac“ with extra hose, tubes and few gutter attachment’s. You can work from ground level walking under open gutters and suck leaves/sand out as you go. Or If they’re covered, you can lift one end and push the vacuum hose thru the gutter under the guards sucking or blowing as you go. For my “Valleys or Roof Flashings” i just tape the vacuum hose and tubing to end of my extendable prunning pole and run it up valley. With different vacuum head attachments you can Really suck clean debris from under roofing shingles or tiles where pressure washing, sweeping, or blowing might cause damage.
Another great user friendly tool for about $25-$50 is a high pressure telescoping wands with flexible spray/stream head that hooks to regular water hose. They’re great for clearing sentiment and spray cleaning walls, windows or anything else out of reach. Good luck….

 

[Rockbadchild]

I have roughly 200’ of gutters to clean monthly, more so in the fall. When doing this, I also get all the leaves and twigs out the roof valleys. I clean the gutters by hand and with a blower then rinse with house at end. My roof pitch is very steep, making cleaning the valleys very unsafe. How do you guys do it? Do any of you use the leaf guards on gutters? Looking for a safer and more efficient way to do this.

single story or double? a garden hose and a ladder work well if it's a single story...

 

[mikester]

I have roughly 200’ of gutters to clean monthly, more so in the fall. When doing this, I also get all the leaves and twigs out the roof valleys. I clean the gutters by hand and with a blower then rinse with house at end. My roof pitch is very steep, making cleaning the valleys very unsafe. How do you guys do it? Do any of you use the leaf guards on gutters? Looking for a safer and more efficient way to do this.

If you have to clean out monthly I'd be getting the chainsaw out and start by removing the source of your problems i.e. all overhead branches etc.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I blow my gutters out with an air compressor. It helps that I have an industrial air compressor in the shop and the house is close enough to run air hoses too.

I made my gutter guards our of aluminum window screen. I manufactured them with a homemade "metal" brake that I made out of wood and a piano hinge to bend the screen with. The window screen works quite well.

 

[scootr]

I have a valley broom. It is a stiff small push broom at the end of a telescoping fiberglass pole made for a paint roller. Find the pole at HD or Amazon.

 

[5030]

Once I installed 'Gutter Guards' that ended.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Once I installed 'Gutter Guards' that ended.

can you elaborate?

 

[5030]

Elaborate what? The debris washes off the roof and valleys and over the gutter guards and out into the yard. Simple.