10 Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Cleaning Gutters

Cleaning your gutters is an important job that helps protect your home from damage. It keeps water flowing away from your foundation, preventing mold, pests, and costly repairs.

However, many homeowners make mistakes during gutter cleaning. Skipping maintenance, using the wrong tools, or ignoring safety can lead to clogs, leaks, and other problems.

Proper maintenance ensures water flows away from your foundation and saves you from costly water damage, which can cost up to $26,000. 

In Utah, companies like Ace Gutter Inc. offer professional gutter cleaning services to keep your home safe. But if you prefer to do it yourself, it’s important to know what to avoid. Here are the most common mistakes and how to prevent them.

1. Ignoring Safety Precautions

One of the biggest mistakes during DIY roof gutter cleaning is neglecting safety. Working on a ladder can be dangerous, especially if it’s unstable. Unfortunately, many homeowners skip proper gear, such as gloves and safety glasses, risking injury from sharp debris or harmful bacteria in clogged gutters. 

Pro Tip: Use a sturdy ladder, secure it on flat ground, and always have someone nearby to watch over and help you. Wear good-quality gloves and protective eyewear to avoid injuries, whether you are cleaning gutters on a one-story or two-story house.

2. Using Improper Tools

Using random tools or makeshift equipment is another DIY roof gutter cleaning mistake that’s all too common. Besides being a safety hazard, using such tools can damage your rain gutters. For example, scraping debris with sharp objects can scratch or puncture the gutter lining, which can lead to leaks and expensive repairs. 

Pro Tip: Invest in proper gutter cleaning tools, such as a gutter scoop, extendable pole, pressure washer, and more importantly, a good-quality ladder. These make the job easier and safer without damaging your rain gutters.

3. Skipping Regular Maintenance

Sometimes, homeowners wait too long to clean their gutters or forget to tune them up once they are clean. Neglecting the former task can cause water overflow, pest infestations, and even roof damage. On the other hand, ignoring regular tune-ups can lead to sagging, leaks, and dents, which shorten the life of your gutters.

Pro Tip: Schedule roof gutter cleaning at least twice a year, ideally in spring and fall. If you live in an area with heavy foliage or storms, check more frequently. It’s also a good idea to get a professional tune-up twice a year.

4. Overlooking Downspouts

Cleaning only the horizontal gutters and ignoring the downspouts is also a common gutter cleaning mistake. Clogged downspouts can cause water to back up and overflow, leading to foundation damage and basement flooding. The overflowing water can also puddle in your garden, wreaking havoc on your flower beds and plants. 

Pro Tip: Use a garden hose to flush the downspouts after removing visible debris. This ensures water flows smoothly through your drainage system.

5. Overloading the Gutter System

Overloading is a lesser-known but prevalent DIY roof gutter cleaning mistake. It typically involves ignoring or forgetting to clear heavy debris, like wet leaves or ice, during winter. This leads to overloading, which can cause your gutters to sag or detach from the roof.

Pro Tip: Regularly inspect your gutters and remove excess weight. For winter months, consider a roof ice melt system to prevent buildup.

6. Ignoring Signs of Damage

During a DIY roof gutter cleaning, many homeowners fail to inspect their gutters for cracks, dents, rust, or loose fasteners. These seemingly small issues can escalate into major problems if left unchecked.

Pro Tip: After clearing debris, check your gutters for damage. Tighten loose screws and replace damaged sections to ensure they function effectively. However, call a professional gutter cleaning service if the damage is extensive.

7. Cleaning Gutters Alone

Most people make this DIY roof gutter cleaning mistake because they don’t know it’s a two-person job. Cleaning the gutters alone can be risky, especially on a two-story home. Balancing on a ladder while removing debris is challenging and unsafe without help. 

Pro Tip: Always have someone help you, whether holding the ladder or passing tools. Better yet, hire a pro gutter cleaning service if you are not accustomed to working from heights.

8. Using High-Pressure Water Incorrectly

While pressure washing can be effective, improper use can dislodge gutter sections or damage seals. This DIY roof gutter cleaning mistake is more likely to happen with older or poorly installed systems.

Pro Tip: Use a gentle setting on your pressure washer. In most cases, a garden hose with a spray nozzle is sufficient for routine gutter cleaning.

9. Neglecting Leaf Guards

It’s a common belief that leaf guards can keep the system from clogging, which often leads to this gutter cleaning mistake. While leaf guards can keep most of the debris out, debris can still accumulate over time, causing blockages. In other words, installing leaf guards and then forgetting about them is a mistake.

Pro Tip: Regularly inspect and clean your leaf guards. Choose the right type for your home, especially in areas with harsh winters.

10. Not Hiring a Pro

Many homeowners try to save money by skipping expert gutter cleaning services. However, this is a mistake. For one, without experience, you might miss critical issues or damage your gutters during cleaning. Secondly, an annual professional tune-up is necessary to keep your gutters going for 20-25 years. 

Pro Tip: Hire a gutter cleaning service to clean and tune up your system thoroughly at least twice a year. Professionals have the right tools and expertise to handle these tough jobs safely.

Final Thoughts

DIY roof gutter cleaning is tempting because it helps homeowners save money. However, it’s futile without the right tools, safety precautions, or skills. If you are a DIYer, stay away from these gutter-cleaning mistakes to finish the job safely and effectively. If not, hire a professional to clean your gutters and inspect them for damage at least twice a year. Remember, regular upkeep protects your home and saves you money in the long run.

Need help with your rain gutter cleaning? Ace Gutter Inc. is here to help. We are leading experts in gutter cleaning and installation, leaf guards, chimney caps, and ice melt systems in Utah. Call us today to get started!