Tradepoint: How to...... Clear out gutters

With the weather starting to feel more autumnal, we take a look at how to safely clear debris and dead leaves from gutters yourself.

There is a distinct chill in the air, and soon gardens and pavements will be covered in blankets of leaves.

While this may look pretty, the changing season can also mean that gutters become blocked with debris such as small twigs and dead leaves.

As a landlord, it is your responsibility to keep the exterior of the property in good repair, so it is best if you take responsibility for gutters to be checked.

You may wish to hire a contractor to do this for you, but if you do decide you want to do the job yourself, we have put together some top tips to get you started.

Remember- NRLA members can benefit from a 10% discount on most items at B & Q, thanks to the NRLA's partnership with Tradepoint.

How to: Clear your gutters

There are some signs to look out for to be able to tell if gutters are blocked. Hopefully, your tenants will get in touch with you if they suspect this to be the case as well.

Tell-tale signs include plants starting to grow inside the gutter itself, or water spilling over the side.

It is important to deal with the issue promptly.

Not only could the problem get worse the longer it is left, but you also want to avoid any structural damage to the property and damp. In very cold weather blocked gutters can also freeze over if there is excess water in them, leading to dangerous patches of ice.

Steps to take

• First of all, you need to set up your ladder. Make sure it is on a level surface and that it is propped up against something secure. If the weather is very windy, it may be best to clear the gutters on a calmer day. If possible, have someone at the bottom of the ladder keeping check to make sure the ladder is steady.
• Taking a butcher’s hook, attach a bucket to the top of the ladder. Any debris you clear from the gutter can go into the bucket. Using this technique will ensure you can keep your hands free.
• Use heavy duty gloves to start clearing out the gutters. You can also create your own ‘scoop’ to do this. Take an old milk carton and cut the bottom of it off, to easily scoop up any debris.
• Make sure you move the ladder along the gutter as you go, so you don’t have to overstretch.
• While you’re up there, it is a good idea to check out the overall state of the gutters. You should be looking for any cracks that may need sealing, or if any brackets need repairing if the guttering is sagging.
• If you need to clear out the downpipe, you may need to use a drain rod to do this. Putting some specialist mesh over the top of the downpipe to collect and leaves and debris for you.

To learn more about clearing out gutters safely, watch this video: