Cleaning the gutters - not a question

They make an attachment for the shop vac. That way you can stand on the ground (away from the wasp) and either vacuum or bow the needles out. It works best if they are dry and you don't let them get to bad... but it would keep you a good distance from them..

"JimmyDahGeek@DON'T_SPAM_ME_gmail.com" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...

Damnit, I didn't even think of using my Shop-vac. It sure beats getting all the pine needles soaking wet trying to pressure wash them out.

Well I still have to do the front gutters, so maybe I'll go for it.

Honestly I was strongly considering replacing the gutters. I still have those old 1960's rain gutters that aren't nearly large enough to catch the runoff from the roof and the downspout it all of 2 inches in diameter. Man when you live in Seattle you need SERIOUS rain gutters.

I still have mine to do. They will, as usual be near full with dirt/leaves. I use a putty knife and flip them over the side, no sopping wet mess to deal with that way (other than what is already there). Of course it does require moving the ladder several times per gutter.

Harry K

Observations inline...

Yes. Rodding your sewer line or cleaning out your grease trap come to mind.

Most hardware stores sell a "scoop" for cleaning gutters. Through the crap on the ground or carry a bag to put it in. No biggie.

Something to be said for doing this work on a cool day.

Get gutter helmet, ends cleaning gutters forever!

That said, it wouldn't hurt to put those bulbous wire strainers at the tops of your downspouts. I like to walk around my roof a few days after every heavy rain spell, and about once a month during the wet season, and clean out my gutters. It's pretty easy. Then again, my roof isn't super steep.

LEAFGUARD Brand gutters. Haven't cleaned mine in 9 years.

I had gutter helmets and they were worthless. Depends on slope of roof. Leafguard gutters with builtin helmets work well though.

Hmmm, If you did it every season, it'd have been easy task.

I have a friend who I have cleaned there gutters 3 times in about a year.

lots of trees and acorns, frequent cleaning really doesnt make it easier in all cases

I can think of one... ever clean a septic tank?

No, I haven't either -- but every time I watch (and smell) one being pumped, I'm glad that I'm the guy with the pen and checkbook, not the guy with the truck and hose.

Gutter screens...

You mean they weren't wet already, and you got them that way??

If they're dry to start with, just go up on the roof with a leaf blower. Gutters will be clear in moments.

Oh, yes, it does. Just imagine what your friend's gutters would have looked like if he had *not* cleaned them 3 times in a year!

sadly arent effective the little stuff gets thru, and consolidates well under the screen ,making it even harder to remove:(

By me, it isn't the leaves in fall so much as the damn maple-tree "helicopters" (seedlings) in the spring. They ball up at the top of the downspout, and when they do, it's all she wrote.

Banty

The concerns I have had with most of these (especially things like Gutter Helmet) is that it would seem to prime areas for the development of ice dams.

Well considering I've only owned the house since March you can't fault me there can you?

ice dams slide off since theres no edge for them to catch on, have friend who had ice dam trouble gutter helmet ended the problem

Eh, the top part was dry, the lower levels were decomposing - so damp maybe?

I'll try the shopvac trick. The person who put the new roof on has it hanging half-way over the actual gutters, so there isn't much space to fit anything in - although a shop vack angle attachment would get in there.

BTW: It rained last night and what do you know - actual water flowed down my gutter drains? Whoever said that Seattle only has gentle rains needs to live here in November, December, January, February, ......