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You need gutter protection to help protect your home. But clogged gutters and gutter cleaning frequently top the list of homeowner headaches which is probably why you are doing some homework on gutter guard options! The GutterBrush - Simple Gutter Guard (www.gutterbrush.com) should eliminate or greatly reduce the need for future gutter cleaning, but before you install GutterBrush and start protecting your gutters, it is important to start with clean gutters, so here are some tips we have picked up along the way.

Depending upon the type of foliage, many gutter systems need to be cleaned 3-4 times a year. This may sound excessive, but each season trees go through various cycles that can clog your gutters. In spring, most trees drop seedlings and dead twigs. Spring is also a great time to inspect your gutters for any damages that may have occurred during the winter snow. In summer, trees drop leaves from heavy storms and high winds. At the end of fall or early winter, you want to make sure everything has been properly cleared from the gutter system to help prevent ice dams or buildup of ice in your gutters. The extra weight of frozen water in your gutters can easily cause them to pull away from the fascia and in many cases, fall off the house. Improper gutter maintenance will lead to clogged or damaged gutters and can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your homes foundation, exterior trim and basements.

Important! In the U.S. over 500,000 people are treated for ladder related injuries each year! Safety is a very important component to consider when working from a ladder or on the roof. When using ladders, make sure you stay away from power lines, trees and windows. You may find that over time, the spikes that hold the gutters to the fascia board have loosened. Either drive the loose spikes back into place, or replace them with longer ones for improved support. When gutters are loose, the pitch is changed and the water will overflow at low areas.

Regularly check whether the downspouts are clogged or not. You can use water to unclog your downspouts by placing the garden hose in the opening. But be very gentle, as downspouts are not designed for withstanding the same pressure as that of a house drain. If a plugged downspout cannot be cleared with a hose then make use of a small plumber's snake or even an unbent clothes hanger.

Most ladder / gutter cleaning accidents happen for two reasons. The first is when people set a ladder that can slide along the gutter. The feet of the ladder must be set level. If the ladder is at a slight left or right angle as you climb it, it can quickly slide. It's a good idea to use a ladder stabilizer to make sure the ladder doesn't crush your gutters or slip while your doing the cleaning. Check out LadderMax in our recommended products section on www.gutterbrush.com.

Overreaching is the second problem. Don't lean your body out beyond the ladder. This upsets the balance of you and the ladder. If you insist on reaching further down the gutter to clean, make a push stick. This is just a broom handle with a little block on the end. The block acts like a ram to push leaves and debris farther down the gutter. You can then move the ladder to get this debris or push it even farther.

Be safe and take your time when cleaning your gutter and installing your gutter protection!If you have any questions please contact us at info@thegutterbrush.com or at 8883979433