One of the most neglected chores around the house is cleaning and maintaining your gutters. If you try and reach down into the gutters to scoop out debris with your hands, you are bound to get several cuts even if you are wearing gloves.

 

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To do this task without cutting your hands up take a standard antifreeze jug and cut the top using a razor knife. Make sure that it is large enough so that you have a scoop to reach down in the gutters and clean out the majority of debris.

Once you have removed the bulk of leaves and pine straw, take a water hose and use it to clean out the rest of the debris. Make sure you get the downspout good and clean because that can be a source of problems.

Before considering yourself done with the project, this is a good time to do a little preventative maintenance. Use a good gutter and lap sealant to coat over any seams to prevent any leaks from occurring in the future. While you are up on the roof use your hammer to tap in the gutter nails (the spikes that hold the gutter to the fascia board.)

 

About Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford, a 26 year remodeling professional, is the home improvement expert for The Early Show on CBS and The Weather Channel.  Additionally, Danny has appeared on such shows as LIVE with Regis & Kelly, Fox & Friends and CNN’s Open House.  His home improvement advice is regularly published in national magazines such as “Consumer’s Digest,” “Real Simple,” “SmartMoney” and more.  Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford, entering its eighth season, is a nationally syndicated home improvement show airing on more than 190 stations.  Lipford, a certified graduate remodelor, as designated by the National Association of Home Builders Remodelors Council, has emerged as today’s voice of home improvement.