The Best Gutter Cleaners for Residential Use
You need handy gutter cleaning tools to keep your gutters free from debris. Different gutter cleaners are available, each designed for a specific purpose. Choosing the right gutter cleaning tools isn’t cumbersome.
Why Do You Need Gutter Cleaning Equipment?
Gutter cleaning is essential to keep your roof free of leaves and debris. Since gutters are so high up on your roof, you’ll need some cleaning tools to assist. A ladder is the most basic piece of equipment for this DIY project.
Combined with the proper gutter cleaners, you’ll complete the job in no time, leaving your gutters ready for the next rainstorm. This article will look at some of the best gutter cleaners you can buy for your home.
Types of Gutter Cleaning Tools
You won’t need to pay for gutter cleaning services with the right tools. Here’s an overview of the common type of gutter cleaning tools.
Telescopic Hose Wand
A telescoping gutter cleaning wand connects to a regular garden hose. Using the water pressure from the hose, it washes away any leaves or dirt from your gutter. Most telescopic poles are extendable, with an adjustable tilt head spray for those hard-to-reach areas.
With a telescopic wand, you can clean your gutters from the ground. It’s ideal if you’re inexperienced in using ladders.
Pressure Washer Attachments
With a pressure washer attachment, you can clean your gutter with water from your pressure washer machine. It’s a slim-angled extension that easily connects to a standard pressure washer wand. Like a telescopic hose wand, it uses water pressure to clean the gutter.
However, you might need a ladder to guide this extension. This tool may appear difficult to use at first, especially with high water pressure. Once you get the hang of it, it does the job quickly and easily.
Gutter Cleaning Scoop
The gutter cleaning scoop resembles a regular food scoop. It has a flexible plastic tip to scoop dirt out of any gutter. You need a ladder to reach the dirt, then use the scoop to remove it. Gutter scoops are affordable and durable cleaning tools. To avoid the hassle of constantly moving your ladder as you clean, look for a model with a telescopic pole.
Gutter Claw
A gutter claw allows you to direct all the dirt from your gutter in one direction and then scoop it up with a large, sturdy spoon. The handle is long enough to keep your hand from getting dirty. Alternatively, you can attach it to an extension pole to cover a larger area.
Gutter Sense designs its gutter claws like a pair of tongs for grabbing leaves. Using an extension pole and string, you can use this gutter cleaning tool without a ladder.
Wet/Dry Vacuum Attachments
Wet/ dry vacuum attachments connect to a wet/dry shop vacuum. You can either use these long rigid pipes to vacuum or blow the leaves away from your gutters. A wet/ dry vac gutter cleaning kit comes with extension wands to reach high-story buildings.
The gutter vac’s major downside is it only removes dry leaves and dust from the gutter. You will need to use other cleaning tools to clean your gutters of wet dirt.
Gutter Guard/ Leaf Guard
If you don’t fancy the idea of cleaning your gutters, then it’s best to use a gutter guard. It’s a mesh that keeps leaves and debris out of your channel. The ideal leaf guard wraps around the gutters while still allowing water to flow through. Cleaning is much easier with these covers; you don’t have to do it as often.
Gutter Cleaning Solution
If your home has an old roof, dark streaks may form on the gutter’s exterior. It could be dirt stains or mildew growth. You can remove these stains with a gutter cleaning solution. Spray some gutter cleaning solution on your gutters and then brush it off after a few minutes.
You can gently wipe away the dirt with a microfiber gutter cleaning tool. Regular cleaning will keep your gutters shiny and prevent mildew growth.
The Best Gutter Cleaners
When purchasing a gutter tool, it’s important to pick a good brand. You want a tool that is sturdy and offers value for your money. Here are our top selections for the best gutter cleaning tools on the market.
Agiiman Pressure Washer Extension Wand
The Agiiman pressure wand connects to a ¼-inch quick connect or M22 fitting electric pressure washer. It’s easy to assemble, operate, and dismantle. The extension wand comes with a brass connector that prevents leaks while cleaning your gutters.
Orbit Telescoping Gutter Cleaning Wand
This wand extends up to 70 inches. It’s lightweight and made of non-corrosive material for durability. Using the built-in valve and shut-off lever, you can adjust the water flow, so you don’t have to go back to the faucet. However, it may not be efficient with low water pressure.
Amerimax Getter Gutter Scoop
The Amerimax scoop is a low-cost gutter cleaning tool. Its extended tongue and narrow heel make scooping all the dirt in your gutter easier. It holds a lot of debris, so you don’t spend so much time on the ladder. You can attach two buckets to the ladder to collect the dirt.
Gutter Sense Gutter Cleaning Tool
These tongs are great for clearing leaves on your gutter. They spread for a 14-inch grip. With a little effort, you can use it to reach second-floor gutters. It’s a suitable tool for seniors or those afraid to climb up a ladder.
WORKSHOP Wet-Dry Vac Gutter Cleaning Kit
You can use this extension to vacuum and blow debris off your gutters. It comes with two extension wands to maximize reach. The 120-degree elbow nozzle makes it easier to curve the extension into your channels. When using this product, it’s best to put on goggles to protect your eyes.
What to Consider When Choosing a Gutter Cleaner
Let’s look at the tips for choosing a suitable gutter cleaner. Here are some things to keep in mind when getting gutter cleaning equipment.
Ease of Use
Beginners find it difficult to use some gutter cleaners. When using a ladder, you should root it firmly on the ground or use a ladder stabilizer. If you’re uncomfortable using a ladder, choosing a gutter cleaner with an extension pole would suffice.
Some of these tools do not come with a gutter pole, so you will need to buy them separately. Pressure washer and hose pipe attachments can be messy, with the high pressure forcing the water in all directions. It could take a while to get a grip of it.
Pick a gutter cleaner that is simple to install and use. Before purchasing a gutter cleaner, always check the attachment method to the extension pole or machine to ensure it fits properly and stays in place throughout.
Additional Equipment Required
If you’re using a vacuum cleaner’s or pressure washer’s attachment, you’ll need a pressure washer and a wet/dry vacuum. Always use protective gear like safety glasses, gloves, and overalls. It might seem cheaper to clean your gutter, but it’s risky and time-consuming. You can always employ professional gutter cleaners to get the job done.
Your Gutters’ Condition
Before the cleaning process, thoroughly inspect your gutters. Even with regular maintenance, you will have to repair or replace your gutters. If your gutters have cracks, they could allow water into the roof. You can have it replaced if it’s a small section of the channel.
You should also check for mildew. Mildew results when there’s water pooling. It could result from clogging from the gutters or a problem with the downspout. Small damages like these can be fixed, but you should replace broken or sagging gutters.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning gutters might be a dirty and cumbersome job. Nevertheless, it will save you from unclogging your gutters and downspout. Gutter cleaning tools make the work a lot easier and more effective. Make a point of cleaning your gutters at least twice a year. If you find the task too daunting, you can always have a professional do it.