Clean gutters are essential for the health of a house, guiding rainwater away and protecting the structure from water damage.
However, as we know, gutters can quickly become clogged with various types of debris. This issue can become a real headache if there are trees close to the house or if the roof of the house is made with shingles. Gutter vacuum systems are a popular solution to this problem because they are safer than traditional cleaning methods. Also, for the most part, they allow the operator to move through the job faster.
Still, some types of debris are more difficult to shift than others. Let's explore the types of debris that challenge these systems the most.
1. Wet Leaves and Twigs
The first type of debris that clogs gutters is leaves and twigs. It's not unusual to find your gutters full of leaves that fall from nearby trees. While it may seem like a minor issue, once the debris gets wet, it becomes heavier — it can lead to several potential issues that require expensive repairs. For example, leaves that accumulate in gutters can cause water to overflow, resulting in costly damages.
2. Pine Needles
Pine needles can be particularly troublesome and are probably the most difficult type of debris to clean out. Their slender shape and tendency to interlock create blockages that are tough for gutter vacuums to break apart and suck up. Also, the needles often come in clusters of two's and three's. These can hook onto the end of the system's nozzle, making the job more difficult.
In areas surrounded by pine trees, frequent cleaning is often necessary to prevent the buildup of these stubborn needles. Yet, once the pine needles get wet and soak up some water, they become dense and bendable and are a lot easier to suck up.
Having spoken to one of our experienced operators/experts they suggest the following solution.
Dealing with Pine Needles:
Preliminary Steps: Begin by knocking off the needles that are overflowing. This action can increase the speed of the job by 50 - 60%, though it may result in a bit more cleanup around the edges of the house on the ground.
Vacuuming: Use a gutter cleaning system to vacuum what pine straw is left in the gutters.
Wet vs. Dry: Wet pine needles are easier to clean than dry ones. This is because wet debris is easier to shift, particularly when dealing with pine needles. Choose the time to clean your gutters accordingly.
Leaf and Shingle Sand Interaction: A contractor finds that larger leaves, for some reason, make it easier to suck out the shingle sand, aiding in the cleaning process.
3. Mud and Shingle Grit
Over time, gutters can accumulate a layer of sediment and shingle sand that becomes mud and grit from roof shingles. This kind of debris is pretty easy for a gutter vacuum to handle as long as the vacuum is powerful enough. Conversely, it can be challenging for gutter vacuums that are underpowered. The dense, compact nature of mud and the granular texture of shingle grit can clog the vacuum's nozzle or hose, especially if it is mixed with other debris.
The remedy to the mud and shingle grit clogging up the hose is to keep a bucket of clean water close by and suck up a pint or so of water through the system. Doing so will lubricate the inside of the system.
Occasionally, the operator will have to disconnect the hose from the poles and the side inlet of the machine and flush it out with water.
4. Small Branches, Bark, and Gutter Weeds
After a storm, it's not uncommon to find small branches and pieces of bark in gutters. These larger, more rigid pieces of debris can be problematic for gutter vacuums due to their size. Typically, the orifice of the nozzle is 2 inches in diameter. It limits what can pass through the system.
This type of debris typically will be "held" at the end of the nozzle by the suction of the vacuum. In this case, the debris can be "dropped" by disengaging the hose from the pole sections, stopping the suction, and allowing the debris to fall to the ground.
5. Animal Nests
Occasionally, gutters become a home for small animals like birds or squirrels. Their nests are made of a mix of twigs, leaves, and other materials. Using the nozzle to agitate the debris and break the nest up helps the system to suck the debris out. Because these nests are compact and often intertwined, they're resistant. Still, with this agitation, they break apart, becoming easier to remove.
6. Water
Water can obviously accumulate in the gutter once the entrance to the downspout is blocked. Water can be vacuumed out of the gutter by a gutter vacuum machine, once this has been removed, good machines will have a drain hose that will allow the operator to dispose of the water in the appropriate place (drain or garden).
Invest in a Professional Gutter Cleaning System and Keep Your Gutters Spotless Clean
Gutter vacuum systems are a safe and effective tool for gutter maintenance, but they have their limitations. Understanding the types of debris that pose the most challenges can help homeowners plan their gutter maintenance strategy more effectively.
It's a combination of how high the gutters are from the ground (as there is a lot of physics involved) and what type of debris you are trying to remove. Manual removal might be necessary before vacuuming for more demanding jobs where the homeowner has not had their gutters cleaned for a year, such as those involving wet foliage, mud, weeds, or animal nests.
Regular seasonal gutter cleaning is key to preventing these problematic buildups and ensuring the longevity and functionality of gutter systems.
