How to clean gutters with leaf blower

Gutters are important for preventing water from getting into the home. They also serve as an aesthetic addition to any property. Unfortunately, gutters can get clogged with leaves and debris over time. If you have a leaf blower in your garage, then cleaning them out is easy!

How do you protect gutters from debris?

Specialists recommend additional protective measures for gutters, so that they are less clogged with debris. In such cases, you need to use a special elastic mesh, which can be made of metal or plastic. It is put on the open sections of the gutter, and does not let the large debris get inside the pipe.

On the other hand such a grid does not prevent the ingress of water at all, so the moisture will be evenly drained from the roof. Interestingly, such a grid is not installed from the outside of the gutter, but from the inside. It is self-expanding and is firmly installed in the gutter. Removing such a grid for overhaul cleaning is also very simple and easy. It is enough to pick it up with special pliers and the grid will be removed.

But it should be understood that such a grid will not let in large debris, but small debris will still get into it. This protection measure will help you postpone the time of a major cleaning of the entire system for a longer period.

What is a blower?

A leaf blower is a powerful electric or gasoline device that blows air out of the nozzle, using it to clean. Its rotation speed can reach up to 200 km/h, which makes the tool really effective when dealing with dirt, leaves or fallen tree branches on sidewalks, roads or in small yards. The unit itself is a hand-held device with a bulky housing. It hides all the stuffing, which is responsible for quality work and high air power.

How to clean your gutters with a blower

There are several types of ways to clean your gutters with a blower. The main thing here is to choose the method that is more convenient for you and safer. Each of the following methods has its pros and cons. You should try one first and then the other. With this method, you can determine for yourself exactly what is more effective, more convenient and, of course, more profitable.

The first method – the classic one from the roof

The classic method of cleaning gutters with a blower means that you have to climb up to the roof. Of course, this is dangerous and requires special attention, but if you’re not afraid of heights, this method will definitely save you time. This method is not suitable for those who do not have the ability to get to the roof, where the climb is too steep and it is impossible to resist even on the stairs.

What you will need to clean off the roof:

1. A ladder that will allow you to reach the gutter and is completely safe to use;
2. Protective equipment: goggles to protect your eyes, heavy gloves, and ear protection;
3. Blower.

First, set up the ladder well so that it is stable. Then you can use it to climb onto the roof and walk along the gutter, clearing it. Or you can move the ladder every time a section of the gutter is cleaned out. The second method allows you not to leave the ladder and is good for those who have a not-so-secure roof.

To clean all the debris out of the gutter using this method, just get your hands on a leaf blower. Then you need to direct the air into the gutter, thereby kicking out the leaves. If there is too much dirt or a clump of leaves, you can pick it up with the blower nozzle. If it’s too bulky, which depends on the model you choose, then it’s best to bring a small, sharp stick with you on the cover.

The second way – with a nozzle

Gutter cleaning is one of the most common responsibilities that fall on the shoulders of homeowners. If you don’t want to climb on your roof, this is the best way to clean your gutters. The only thing is how much time and effort you will have to spend to make sure you don’t hurt yourself or damage anything on the roof. Because this method forces the user to act almost blindly.

Here, a special nozzle-tube is selected for the blower. It lengthens the nozzle and so you can reach the gutter from the ground. In this form, the blower is put on like a backpack on your back. The nozzle is attached to the nozzle and additionally wrapped with duct tape to keep the air in. Then you can walk around the house and clean the gutters without having to use a ladder.

This method creates a lot of debris that will fall on your head. It’s important to take care of this here and wear protective clothing, a helmet, and goggles. Due to the fact that you cannot see what is happening on the roof, this kind of cleaning should be repeated several times.

How to choose a blower

The main thing in this process is to choose the right model. After all, blowers are divided into several types: electric and gasoline-powered, which can be used both on dry ground and on a wet surface; backpack models for those who want to save time cleaning gutters; manual units with fixed wheels for easy movement around the house without a ladder.

For cleaning gutters, a gasoline-powered backpack model is a good choice. Because you’ll really want mobility, the convenience of carrying a heavy unit, and the confidence of good power. But you should be prepared for the fact that such models have unpleasant exhaust fumes. But this problem is not so important when it is a problem of cleaning a large metre of gutter. Moreover, such a model will help you clean the yard as well, since it is designed for cleaning large areas.