Think leaves & twigs are feather-light? In just one year, home gutters can accumulate 40-250+ pounds of debris.

Why are clean gutters so important? Dirty ones risk your home to major forces of nature: earth, fire, and water. The dry leaves expose your home to fire damage, and backed-up clogs can lead to unfortunate leaks. Such clogs leave plenty of water for mosquitoes to have a pool party on your home. In severe cases, you might have foundation erosion. So get your mind in the gutter and…

Seriously, clean those gutters.

We might live in the Sunshine State, but it still rains all year in Florida. If that rainwater has nowhere to go, it could creep under your roof shingles. This is the start of a long, damaging process to your home. So avoid the recovery phase and stay in prevention mode.

Reach, Don’t Climb. Chances are you don’t want to get on a ladder. We get it and agree it’s much safer to keep both feet on the ground. Your local hardware store can advise you on products that allow you to reach your gutters without climbing a ladder.

Resist the Surge. Cleaning with too much water pressure could leave you with dirty water all over your house. If the debris becomes tightly packed in the downspout, you’ll end up with additional work.

Dirt Cake. If you discover caked buildups, the stubborn debris can be removed more easily when it’s wet. Wait for rain or create your own with an outdoor hose.

Drain, Drain, Go Away. Gutters should have a downward slope for every 5 to 10 feet of gutter. One way to raise the gutter is by bending its hangers.

Check 1, 2, 3. Look for these three problem spots with your gutter and drainage.1) holes and corrosion. 2) leaking joints. 3) bent, missing, or loose hangers. Mark imperfections as you spot them so that you can easily find them when you get ready to make repairs.

Test your handiwork. To see how well your gutters are draining, flush it with a garden hose. Check for areas that hold standing water.

If your gutter system is compromised, or there’s damage to your roof, a replacement could cost thousands of dollars. It’s recommended to clean your gutters in the fall after the leaves begin to drift down. Ideally, you’ll clean your gutters twice a year. Like most tasks, you’ll get quicker and more efficient each time.