Top Gutter Cleaning Tips

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

Keeping your gutters clear of buildup and debris is essential to the health of your home’s drainage system, and therefore the health of your home as well. Since it’s gutter cleaning season, we felt it was only right that we offer some of the top gutter cleaning tips to help you get the job done right.

1. Choose a sturdy ladder. Cleaning your gutters requires climbing up a ladder, which can be very dangerous. Make sure that your ladder is in good working conditions, and consider enlisting a helper to hold the ladder as you clean for added protection.

2. Pick the perfect tools. Make sure you’ve got a small, hand-held spade or rake to dig out any stubborn gunk. You’ll also need garbage bags, sealant to fix up holes, gloves for protection and a pressure washer.

3. Power wash the roof. Before you begin cleaning out your gutters, you’ll want to give the roof a quick cleaning to clear it of any leave and debris that can fall into your gutters after cleaning. This will help you keep your gutters clearer for longer.

4. Scrub them down. Use a little elbow grease and really get in there. The cleaner your gutters, the less likely they’ll be to clog, break and require fixing.

5. Examine diligently. Any holes or cracks that you come across must be repaired immediately. Even the smallest amount of damage can ultimately lead to costly issues in the future.

Cleaning your gutters is a dangerous, dirty and difficult job. If you’re not so sure you’re ready to give DIY gutter cleaning a go, we suggest leaving the gutter cleaning and gutter repairs to the professionals at All Aluminum Gutters. Serving Long island, Queens, Westchester and the Bronx for over 30 years, there’s no gutter job we can’t handle!

To learn more about our gutter cleaning and repair services, click here or call 631-816-2498. We even offer free in-home consultations and estimates!

How to Redirect Water Away From Your Home

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

Water is one of nature's most destructive forces, which is why it’s so important to have a fully-functioning gutter system on your home. Does the thought of a soggy, waterlogged landscape, water damaged or peeling siding, and a potentially flooded basement scare you? If so, here are a few ways to make sure that your gutter system is in great shape in order to ensure that water is safely dispersed as far from your home as possible.

1. Keep gutters clean. An annual or semi-annual gutter cleaning regimen will keep your gutters clear of debris so water can flow freely through the system.

2. Use an extension. An elbow piece can be attached to the end of your downspout in order to accommodate an extension, used to carry water even further from your home’s foundation.

3. Secure a slope. If your downspout directs water towards a splash block, make sure that the splash block and ground slope away from your home for optional water diversion.

4. Stay away from pavement. Water should be redirected away from the home, but no where near a driveway or sidewalk. During winter, water can freeze, causing cracks in the cement.

5. Dig a trench. For maximum protection, dig a trench and insert a PVC pipe, attaching it to the downspout. This is a great way to carry water far, without sacrificing the aesthetics of your yard.

With the wet weather rapidly approaching, now is the time to inspect your gutters and correct any drainage issues you find. While gutter maintenance and repair can be handled as a DIY project, it’s always best to consult a professional to make sure that any issues are resolved quickly and efficiently for maximum protection against the elements.

For more information about the gutter cleaning, repair and installation services that All Aluminum Gutters provides, call 631-816-2498 to speak with a representative and receive a complimentary consultation and estimate.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Gutters

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

The leaves have already started to fall, but you may not have had a chance to get to your seasonal gutter cleaning duties just yet. But don’t worry, there’s still time to get your gutters in order before the brunt of autumn hits, and here’s how you can do it:

What You’ll Need:

• Sturdy ladder, tall enough to reach gutters on the second story if applicable.
• Strong pair of work gloves, and goggles or protective eyewear.
• Small shovel or spade for digging out debris, and a bucket and S-hook for disposal.
• Garden hose with spray attachment and plumber’s snake for stubborn clogs.

What You’ll Do:

1. Set your tools in place. Stash your cleaning tools in a utility belt or toss them in your disposal bucket to make climbing up the ladder easier. Make sure to place your ladder on firm, level ground to avoid falling and enlist a partner to hold the ladder as you clean if possible. Don’t forget to attached your debris bucket to the top of the ladder with the S-hook.


2. Begin at the downspout. Starting your cleaning project at your downspout and working your way around the rest of the house is your best bet. That way, you’ll avoid pushing more debris into the downspout. Use your shovel or spade to scoop out debris and transfer it to your waste bucket. If you need to use your hands, be very careful to avoid potentially sharp or dangerous debris.


3. Hose it down. Take your garden hose and spray out the remaining debris in the direction of the downspout. Be sure to rinse the entire system, leaving no debris behind.


4. Unclog your downspouts. While you're rinsing your gutters and pushing debris toward the downspout make sure to spray water directly into the downspout when you reach it. This will loosen and hopefully clear any clogs. Should your downspout need some extra attention, try spraying water into the downspout from the opposite direction, and use the plumber’s snake if necessary.


5. Inspect your gutters. Now that they’re sparkling clean, it will be easier to detect and damage that may have incurred over the course of the season. Check for cracks, sagging, dents or holes, and have any damage you find repaired as soon as possible.

Still unsure if you can get to your gutters this weekend? Gutter cleaning is an important part of your home’s fall maintenance plan and it’s imperative that you get those gutters in shape early on this season, which is why we suggest leaving the gutter cleaning and gutter repairs to the professionals at All Aluminum Gutters. Serving Long island, Queens, Westchester and the Bronx for over 30 years, there’s no gutter job we can’t handle!

To learn more about our gutter cleaning and repair services, click here or call 631-816-2498. We even offer free in-home consultations and estimates!

How Can Clogged Gutters Damage My Home?

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

The most important benefit that gutters can provide for any home is protection from potential water damage caused by harsh weather conditions. Water, though a necessity for plant and human life alike, can be extremely destructive and even deadly if left to it’s own devices. In order to reinforce the need for gutters even further, here are a few very real ways that improperly functioning or clogged gutters can impact the well being of your home.

Cracked Foundation - Gutters are meant to redirect water away from your home’s foundation. When a clog is present, water has no choice but to spill over the side of your gutter system, down your home and to its base. Pooling water can infiltrate your home’s foundation, causing cracks and shifting over time, and in extreme cases it can lead to collapse.

Rotten Wood - Most gutter systems are supported and attached to the home by wooden fascia boards. Pooling caused by a clog can allow for wood rot to take hold, jeopardizing your home’s structure and welcoming pests like termites to infest your home. If your home also has wooden siding the overflow caused by the clog can spill down over your siding and cause rot there as well.

Waterlogged Landscape - While water is usually a good thing for your landscape, too much of it can be detrimental. When water cascades down your home's side and into your flowerbeds the ground can become over-saturated, suffocating flowers, trees and other shrubbery that may be surrounding your home.

Interior Damage - Once your home’s outer layer has been damaged and permeated by water, what’s to stop it from making its way inside? Damaged siding, rotten fascia boards and foundation cracks all provide points of entry for flooding water, mold growth and pests alike.

So, now that you understand how important it is to keep your gutters cleaned and unclogged, the next step is to pick up the phone and give us a call!

At All Aluminum Gutters, we guarantee all of our work and understand the crucial role that gutters play in protecting your home. As you now know, it’s very important to keep your gutters clean so that they can continue to work properly and protect your home from costly water damage.

To learn more about our gutter cleaning and repair services, click here or call 631-816-2498. We even offer free in-home consultations and estimates!