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Your roof has a tough job to do. Sometimes it needs help with the heavy lifting. Directing the precipitation that your roof has collected away from your home’s foundation is the job of your gutter system . That’s hard work too. Here’s what you need to know about your gutters and helpful information from our expert to keep them up to the task.

A: Professional gutter cleaners often start the job by clearing any debris from the roof. Then they vacuum debris from the entire length of the gutter. The downspouts get flushed with water pressure tools, and the rest of the system is cleaned with similar tools.

Finally, they rinse the gutters to remove any remaining gunk and clean up the outside of the gutter system. Any stubborn spots are brushed by hand, usually with purpose-built extension tools. Most companies will then take the removed debris away for disposal.

A: A gutter guard system is a physical barrier that allows water into, but keeps debris out of, your gutters. If you live in a home surrounded by debris-shedding trees, then professionally installed, high-quality gutter guards are worth their expense. They’ll help keep gutter problems to a minimum. Regular cleaning is still necessary though.

On the other hand, cheap, store-bought gutter guards can do more harm than good, especially if they’re not installed correctly. The saying, “You get what you pay for,” effectively applies to DIY gutter guards. Many DIY gutter guards are very effective. Just be sure to purchase decent quality guards and closely follow installation directions.

A: Walking on a residential roof should be avoided for any reason other than an emergency. That said, in order to clean a hard-to-reach gutter where ladders or extension tools won’t work, you may have to walk on your roof. Keep in mind, however, that most injuries in the home are the result of ladder and roof accidents. Use extreme caution if you must walk on the roof. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Local Gutter Installers Select a State To Get Started With Your No Commitment, Free Estimate Find a Gutter Installer

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A: Homeowners are often told that gutter cleaning is absolutely necessary at least twice a year. It’s a good rule for most situations. The truth is that it completely depends on what kind of, and how much, debris your gutters have to deal with.

If your home is surrounded by tall pine trees or trees that shed a lot of seeds (like my house), you may find yourself having to clean your gutters every month during the summer. If there are no trees nearby, once a year is probably enough. New asphalt shingles shed debris that can cause gutter problems. Check your gutters often if you’ve recently had a roof installed.

A: Incorrectly installing gutter guards can be a very costly mistake. The problem is twofold. Having the misconception that your gutters no longer need to be cleaned because they’re protected will eventually lead to failure of the system. Worse yet, if that failure occurs during freezing temperatures it can cause an ice dam to punch a hole in the roof, potentially causing extreme damage.

A: Pressure washer attachments are widely available for gutter cleaning. They’re very effective, especially when used in conjunction with wet/dry vacuum attachments or leaf blower attachments. They’re simply rigid pressure washer hose attachments that are long or extendable and curved to accommodate working from the ground.

A: The first call to make should be to a dedicated gutter company. Most of them perform installations, repair and cleaning services. They’ll be able to fix any problems one way or another. If your gutter issues have created water damage, you may have to call a contractor or roofing company for repairs.

Featured PartnerAdvertisementTHIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.1 MyGutterGuardTask Type Gutter GuardsEstimation Fee None, Free EstimatesResponse Time Excellent1 MyGutterGuardGet Free Estimates On MyGutterGuards' Website Your Home. Your Decisions. Our Support. Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily.{{ newsletterState.emailErrorMsg }}Thanks & Welcome to the Forbes Home Improvement Community!{{ newsletterState.emailErrorMsg }}I agree to receive the Forbes Home newsletter via e-mail. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information and details on how to opt out. Are Your Gutters Damaged And In Need Of Replacement? Stop worrying about clogs, leaks and damages in your gutters and let MyGutterGuards find you the right gutters at the best prices! Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Get A Free Quote

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Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.