Clear Leaf Debris From Gutters With An Easy-To-Use Tool That Attaches To Your Power Washer

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Each year, the arrival of fall brings with it a challenge for homeowners across the country. As trees begin to shed their leaves, gutters quickly become a catch-all for foliage as the material descends down to earth. A few leaves here and there may be harmless, but when things start to build up, gutters get clogged, which can lead to all sorts of water damage problems. The thing with water is that it always follows the path of least resistance. In other words, it naturally flows across the easiest course with the smallest amount of friction where there are no barriers in its way. If your gutters are clogged, often the easiest path for water is straight into your home. So, as you start to pull out your warm gear for fall, it's also time to pull out the leaves that are blocking your drains.

If you're looking to avoid roof leaks, rotting fascia boards (the straight board that runs along the lower edge of a roof), or ice dams during really cold weather, having a gutter cleaning routine is important. While you can grab a ladder, a pair of gloves, and get your hands dirty, there is an easier way. You could simply throw money at the problem and hire in the professionals, but with the right tools you can easily clear leaves and debris from your gutters yourself. If you have a power washer, all you'll need is an easy-to-use tool that attaches directly to it. The POHIR pressure washer gutter cleaner attachment is one such tool.

Before you skip the next bit to simply grab your power hose and start blasting away, it's important to know that using pressurized water can cause serious damage to gutters. The high pressure can crack vinyl joints, blast mounting brackets lose, and drive water underneath your roof shingles. A purpose-built gutter cleaner attachment, like the one you can get Amazon, will give you the power you need to rid your gutters of leaving without causing any damage to the gutter itself. This specific adapter is designed to push water out in a powerful jet stream in not one, but two directions. What makes it so effective is that it rotates as it sprays, getting into all areas of the gutter as it tackles clogs along the way.

Made of brass and stainless steel, this handy power washer adapter features a curved design that makes it easy to lift up and place over the lip of your gutters from below. It's compatible with most pressure washer guns and pressure washers, with a ¼-inch quick connector that snaps into place. Once you're all plugged in and powered up, start by placing the nozzle in the middle of the gutter, and work the washer both ways slowly. Once you've cleaned the full length of the gutter, check that the drainage system is free from any blockages. As the power washer uses quite a bit of force, you'll see that there is a little bit of cleanup required on your patio or lawn once you're done. This is a small price to pay to avoid clogged gutters.

Before you get started, make sure that the power washer is plugged into your power outlet and that this outlet isn't in the path of falling water. The power washer unit itself should also be a few feet away from the gutters so that it can't get wet from falling water or from the spray. Next, you need to check that the water inlet is firmly in place and that all connectors are snapped in correctly. If not, the pressure that builds up may pop these adaptors off, causing an explosion of water all over your outdoor furniture. Once you're good to go, turn the pressure washer on and test the system by squeezing the power hose trigger. What you want to look for here is that the water jet is consistent and that the nozzles on either end rotate as they spray.

While the standard system will work with a single-story home, if you're dealing with a double, you'll want to get your hands on an extension pole. This will fit on to the system between the hose trigger and the gutter cleaner attachment, giving you the extra length you need to clean hard-to-reach gutters. Once you've cleaned the gutters, you can either sweep up the debris that has fallen down straight away or wait for it to dry. Once dry, you can grab a powerful leaf blower to clean up the area far quicker. For ongoing maintenance, aim to clean your gutters twice a year to keep the rainwater flowing and out of your home.