How to Clean Dirty PVC Gutters
When autumn arrives, it is important to make sure that gutters are free from leaves and other debris in order to prevent much more problematic issues later on. PVC gutters and drainpipes can become clogged, preventing water from flowing through. This in turn can lead to dangerous icicle formation in winter.
Items Needed:
- Tall ladder
- Garden hose with sprayer nozzle attachment
- Small hand held garden shovel
- Metal kitchen spatula
- Plastic tarp
- Garbage bag
- Plumbing snake
- Decide which section of gutters you want to clean first, and place the tarp on the ground directly below it. Secure the corners of the tarp with rocks, or other heavy objects so that the tarp will not blow away.
- Use the ladder to climb onto the roof and examine the gutters. Look for clumps of leaves, twigs, or other debris that may be clogging the gutter and preventing water from flowing through.
- Scoop out as much of the debris as you can with the hand held garden shovel. If the debris consists mostly of dry leaves that might scatter or blow away if dropped, place them into the garbage bag. If the debris is wet or heavily packed together, scoop it out, and drop it onto the tarp below. Then use the metal kitchen spatula to scrape out anything remaining in the gutter, being careful not to damage the gutter itself, or the screws and fasteners that hold it onto the roof.
- Using the garden hose, see how well the water flows through the gutter into the downspout. If there are clogs you cannot reach from within the downspout, you may need to use a plumbing snake or similar device to break up the clog before you can remove it.
- Rinse the gutter thoroughly with the sprayer nozzle attachment to make sure the gutters are as clean as possible.
- Repeat steps 1-5 as you work your way around the roof.