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Best way to clean your gutters: top tips from a Which? Trusted Trader
Clearing your gutters regularly is crucial if you want to prevent material from building up and causing blockages – which could lead to a hefty repair bill.
By staying on top of gutter maintenance, you'll also avoid moisture problems in your home, such as water damage or mould. Regular cleaning keeps your drainage system working efficiently and your home in top condition.
Below, we share advice from a Which? Trusted Trader on how to clean your gutters effectively once or twice a year, as well as the best course of action if your pipes become blocked.
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For advice on cleaning gutters, we spoke to Lee Wiltshire, company director at London Gutter Clean Ltd. The company is a Which? Trusted Trader and has a five-star customer score on our website.
Established in 2011, the family-run business provides domestic and commercial gutter cleaning, repair and replacement services.
Why is it important to clean gutters?
Climbing a ladder and cleaning your gutters isn't the most exciting task in the world, but it's easier than dealing with water damage. A clear gutter allows rainwater to flow freely, preventing it from backing up under the shingles.
Lee says: 'Neglected gutters tend to accumulate excess weight from moss and standing water, leading to increased pressure on all components, especially at critical points like joiners, corners and end caps.
'This extra strain can shorten the lifespan of your gutter system.'
How much do roofers cost? Our Which? Trusted Traders take you through the cost of roof repairs.
How often should gutters be cleaned?
Lee recommends cleaning your gutters at least once or twice a year. However, the frequency can vary depending on your surroundings and the condition of your roof.
Lee says: 'Some fortunate homeowners might find they can go a couple of years between cleanings. However, if you have trees nearby or significant moss coverage on your roof, you might need to clean the gutters more frequently.'
By visiting Which? Trusted Traders, you can find a professional in your local area.
What’s the best way to clean your gutter?
If you're confident going up a ladder and it is securely planted on the ground, you can clean your gutters yourself. Ideally, you'll have someone to hold the base of the ladder for extra stability.
Avoid leaning too far over to reach blockages while on the ladder.
Cleaning by hand
'In many cases, we prefer cleaning by hand – try using an extension pole with gutter attachments to fit most shapes,' says Lee.
'If ladder work isn't feasible, we also use gutter vacuums. These are excellent tools, although they might struggle to thoroughly clear debris, especially in the tight corners of gutters or the swan necks of downpipes.'
Donning gardening gloves and using a trowel can also help you clear out debris, which you can drop into a bucket. Once you've worked along the length of the gutter and it’s clear, use a hose to rinse it out.
See our guide to the best garden hoses and hose guns for tools to help.
Can you use a pressure washer to clean your gutter?
Leading manufacturers, such as Karcher, advise against using a pressure washer while standing on a ladder, for safety reasons. In addition, experts say a high-pressure burst of water could cause damage to your guttering and roof materials.
Instead, you can find specially designed gutter cleaning attachments to use in combination with a pressure washer, which can be operated safely from the ground. These often need to be purchased separately.
Used correctly, pressure washers can help to dislodge loose debris in gutters.
Lee says: 'Typically, gutters are filled with leaves and moss, making pressure washing a messy option that could complicate the task rather than simplify it. However, we do use pressure washers with gutter-cleaning attachments, when necessary.'
We've tested pressure washers from Bosch, Karcher, Nilifisk, Ryobi and more. To see the high-scoring models, explore our guide on the best pressure washers.
What if your pipes are blocked?
The team at London Gutter Clean Ltd recommends cleaning downpipes alongside your gutters.
Lee explains: 'If you discover blockages below ground level, it is usually best to call in a drainage specialist, as these issues can be severe. Nevertheless, you can attempt to clear minor blockages using a drain cleaning hose with your pressure washer as a DIY solution.'
If you don’t feel confident going up and down ladders, your gutters are very blocked or your home has succumbed to water damage, it's time to call in an expert.
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