How to clear out the gutter | Express.co.uk

Gutters protect the foundation of your home, your landscaping, and your basement if you have one. Gutters are essential to your home’s structural well-being and keep stains, paint damage,

mould and mildew at bay. Express.co.uk chatted to the experts at Dri-Pak to find out how to clear out the gutter. Roof leaks, rotted wood, foundation and landscape damage, leaks and insect

infestation are all problems you may face if you neglect your gutter system. You need to clean your gutters at least twice a year, depending on your surroundings. If your home is surrounded

by trees, you’ll need to regularly fish needles and leaves out of the gutter to ensure they don’t become clogged and overflow. READ MORE-   HOW TO CLEAN GROUT IN SHOWER HOW TO CLEAR OUT THE

GUTTER If you aren’t confident working at heights, you should never attempt to clear out your gutters and should hire a professional instead. If you are going to do it yourself, make sure

both feet of the ladder are firmly planted on a solid surface. Don’t place the ladder on a slope or on grass as you will fall. Attach a ladder stay or ladder standoff to the top of your

ladder to make sure your ladder doesn’t lean and helps you access your gutters and roof. Use a ladder hook to attach a bucket to the ladder to put the collected waste into, rather than

throwing it onto the ground beneath you and cleaning it up later. Wearing a pair of waterproof gloves, climb up your ladder and get comfortable, ensuring you don’t need to lean too far to

reach anything and risk falling. Scoop the waste out from the gutter with your glove-covered hands or a gutter scoop and place it into the bucket. Work in a small area at a time, climbing

back down the ladder and moving it over to climb back up again and do the next section. Repeat this until you reach the end of the gutter. DON'T MISS... HOW TO CLEAN OVEN RACKS 

[INFORMER] HOW TO CLEAN AN EXTRACTOR FAN WITH WHITE VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA  [INSIGHT] HOW TO CLEAN GROUT IN SHOWER  [EXPLAINER] Soda crystals are better for the environment than harsh

guttering products. The experts noted: “Unlike some heavy-duty chemical unblockers, Soda Crystals are not caustic or corrosive, and are biodegradable.” You can do your outdoor drains while

you’re at it using the same mixture. Dri-Pak’s experts said: “Simply pour a bag of Soda Crystals down the offending drain, add a litre of boiling water and leave for 10 minutes. “This will

allow the Soda Crystals to dissolve any built-up grease, and break down any other deposits. “Then simply flush out the drain with a bucket of hot water and the drain is clear!”