Gutters are often neglected, until they cause damage to your home or landscape — then they really get noticed! Although cleaning your gutters can be a messy and dangerous job, it must be done to direct flow of rainwater from the roof safely.

We’ve provided some gutter cleaning tips that are easy to remember and put to use, so your gutters can be squeaky clean this spring.

Wear long sleeves and rubber globes : It might be hot outside, but you never know what you might touch or grab while cleaning out your gutters. These are simple safety precautions you can take to avoid getting stung by a bee that might be hiding under a pile of leaves or getting scratched by twigs. This job can also be messy, so by wearing the proper apparel, you can stay nice and clean.

Have a good, strong ladder: You’re going to need a ladder to clean out your gutters, so make sure yours is in good shape before you climb it. Old, unstable ladders are unreliable and unsafe. If your ladder is wobbly in the first few steps you take, you might want to reconsider using it and invest in a new one. It also helps to have standoff stabilizers to avoid damaging your gutters.

Use a small plastic scoop: A child’s sand shovel will even work. This will not only make the job go by a lot faster, it can also keep you from touching all the gunk that your gutters have collected.

Lay a tarp on the lawn: By laying a tarp down on your lawn, you can make cleaning up all those soggy leaves and other debris a breeze. You also won’t harm your lawn.

Wash them down: Once your gutters are completely free of leaves, twigs, insects, shingles, and other contaminants, wash them out with the garden hose for a polished look. This will also help you discover any leaks that your gutters or downspouts might have.

Of course, if this doesn’t sound like the way you want to spend your Saturday afternoon, there is an alternative: hiring a reputable company to take care of the job. If you’d rather have someone else clean out your gutters for you, simply call Advanced Gutter Systems. We’re happy to help, so you can enjoy clean, safe gutters and keep your weekend to yourself! Call today to get started.

Because of their design, gutters are bound to be home to many unexpected things. Aside from the obvious fact that leaves can get trapped in your gutters if you don’t clean them regularly, here’s our list of other commonly found objects that you might not know are hiding in your gutters:

1. Birds – Since birds are always looking for a stable place to build their nests, your home’s gutters can be one of the most appealing spots. Your gutters are far enough from the ground that birds don’t have to worry about predators and building a nest in your gutter provides for easy coming & going.
   
2. Foliage – Aside from leaves, it’s not uncommon for other plant life to grow in your gutters. Anything that can take root in your gutters has the opportunity to sprout and grow. Grass, moss, leaves, even trees are all fair game if the conditions are right.
   
3. Silt – This one goes hand in hand with foliage growth. Silt offers the perfect opportunity and environment for plants to take root and flourish. Silt build up also adds added tension and weight to your gutters, which is why regular gutter maintenance is so important.
   
4. Squirrels – Similar to birds, squirrels can definitely make your gutters their refuge – especially if you have a wooded yard or have lots of trees on your property. Be cautious though; once squirrels make their way to your gutters, they’re eventually going to try and find a way into your home or attic where it’s warm, safe, and perfect for breeding. You can avoid this by installing gutter guards to your gutter system.
   
5. Kids Toys – If you have young boys in the house, then chances are you won’t be surprised to find toys and action figures lingering in your gutter system. It’s common to find all kinds of toys trapped in gutters.
   
6. Tennis Balls – If you have athletes in your home, it can be no surprise to find all sorts of sports balls stuck in your gutter system. From tennis balls to golf balls, baseballs and more, these can easily get lodged in your gutter system’s down-pipes where they can get stuck and prevent water from being able to escape.
   

If you suspect your gutters are clogged, and you live in Western New York, give Advanced Gutter Systems Inc. a call today and get your free estimate!

If you’re a homeowner in the North-Eastern part of the country, such as Buffalo, NY, then you’re well versed in how long our cold seasons are. Winter tends to drag out from November through March and in some cases even April. When it comes to checking some home improvement items off your list, you may be wondering if you can install new gutters in the winter months or if you should wait for the Spring.

Regardless of whether you choose to have new gutters installed in the winter, or if you use the winter months to gather as much information as you can about the process, we’ve put together a few things to consider in your decision-making process.

The Fall is undeniably the most beautiful season of all when it comes to Buffalo, NY. From trees to shrubbery, fall’s foliage is truly something to talk about! The Fall is also one of the best times of year to perform your semi-annual gutter cleaning.

When the leaves start falling, however, it’s important that you don’t ignore the leaf build up in your home’s gutter system. Unfortunately, leaves that build up in your gutters will not be blown away from wind. More often than not, leaves get stuck in your gutters, clogging them for the winter months.

 Although gutters are durable and sturdy, gutters can only hold so much in them; water will eventually find another way out and possibly into your home. Gutters that are clogged also run the risk of becoming too heavy and ultimately tearing apart from your home causing damage to your windows and siding. During the winter months, this becomes especially dangerous when ice build-up occurs in your gutters. Hanging icicles or ice build-up on your roof can lead to major problems from your home such as leaking or flooding.