Should I clean the gutters myself?

"There are gutters around the house, but I'm wondering if I should clean it because it's not a driveway." I think there are many people like this.

Garbage and sludge tend to collect in the gutters and can be a source of stinks and pests if left uncleaned. I want to keep it clean as it can lead to troubles in my neighborhood.

So, in this article, I've summarized what you need to know about gutter cleaning. We will explain who should do gutter cleaning, the appropriate frequency, the procedure for cleaning by yourself, and the cost of asking a contractor.

Who will clean the gutters in the first place? Should I do it myself?

Most of the gutter cleaning is done mainly by individuals, city halls, or residents' associations. Who should clean depends on where the gutters are.

• Individual : Gutter facing the driveway
• Municipality : Of the gutters on public roads, those near major roads and those of high importance
• Local residents' association : Of the gutters on public roads, mainly those around houses Local residents' associations

Individual

First of all, in the case of a gutter facing a driveway, the owner of the road is obliged to clean it. As an individual, you basically cannot get the support of the local government, so you have to do all the work related to gutter cleaning yourself.

Also, in the case of "a gutter that is not a private road (not obligatory) but in front of my house", it seems that there are many cases where you have to do it yourself. However, depending on the situation, the city hall or residents' association may take care of it, so it is a good idea to consult with us once.

If you have no choice but to clean it yourself,

Municipality

Of the gutters in the city, you will often only deal with those that are difficult to clean, such as facing the main road or having a wide depth or width.

If the local government handles all the gutters in the jurisdiction, it is difficult to secure the personnel and costs for it.

Local residents' association

For gutters that the local government cannot handle, especially those around the house that are not privately owned, it is common to clean them at a community association such as a local neighborhood association.

In most cases, we receive a request from the local government, so if you have any trouble or trouble, you will need to consult with the local government.

What is the proper frequency of gutter cleaning?

Gutter cleaning is generally recommended to be done about once every six months to two years. If you are cleaning at a local neighborhood association, the regular cleaning time is often set in advance.

After a typhoon or heavy rain, a lot of earth and sand, dead leaves, and dust may flow and the gutters may get dirty at once. We recommend that you do not pay too much attention to the frequency and clean it when the accumulation of dirt becomes noticeable.

What kind of trouble will occur if you do not clean the gutters?

If you neglect to clean the gutters, various troubles will occur. Not only does it worsen the living environment, but it can also cause more damage in the event of a disaster.

Let's understand what kind of trouble is possible.

Causes stinks

Garbage and sludge tend to collect in the gutters, and germs can grow and give off a foul odor, especially during periods of high humidity and heat.

Stinks can cause problems in the neighborhood, so it is important to deal with them as soon as possible. >

Pests occur

Areas of sludge and debris can also be a source of various pests. Specifically, the following insects may appear.

Of the above, the redback spider and centipede are poisonous, so do not touch them easily with your bare hands.

When cleaning, you need to be careful if these insects are inhabiting. To avoid danger, it is safest to ask a contractor if you have to clean it yourself.

Roads are more likely to be flooded by typhoons and heavy rains

Gutters serve to drain water from the road surface when it rains. If you leave the gutters with dust, the water passages will be clogged and drainage will not be successful, and when the amount of precipitation increases due to a typhoon or heavy rain, the water will overflow and the road may be flooded.

In addition, garbage flows into the sea and rivers along with drainage, and the fish that eat it may cause indigestion and have an adverse effect on life. It can also pollute the sea and rivers.

Tools used to clean gutters

Here are some useful tools to have when cleaning the gutters.

It will be a considerable expense if you prepare everything you need. It's not a daily cleaning, but a storage space, so it's even better to ask a contractor.

Gunte: Choose a thicker one with non-slip protection. Your hands will not slip easily when you hold a heavy object such as a lid.

Rubber gloves: Keep your hands dry by touching moist sludge.

Safety shoes: Choose a waterproof type so you don't have to worry about getting your feet wet.

Sandbags: For storing the removed sludge. We recommend the one with high strength that can withstand the weight of sludge. Depending on the area, sandbags may be provided free of charge when cleaning the gutters individually. It is recommended to check with the city hall before buying it yourself.

Sandbag stand: Prevents the weight of sludge from causing the sandbag to fall over and spill its contents. Useful when there is no one to support the sandbag when putting sludge.

We recommend the "Mitsuru Sandbag Stand mizru11" (4,098 yen). The mouth of the sandbag is designed to open wide, making it easy to put in sludge.

Scraper: A tool for removing sludge that has stuck to a lid or the like. It's OK if you have something like a spatula.

Large horn scoop: The horns are more convenient to scoop sludge at once than the pointed ones.

Jolen: Helps remove solids such as plastic debris from sludge.

The recommendation is "Takagi Murakuni Cleaner Stainless Steel Small" (1,480 yen). Jolen made of stainless steel that is resistant to rust. Because it is compact, it will be easy to remove sludge in the corners of the gutters.

Gutter lid lifter: It is recommended that the lid does not wobble and can be lifted in a stable condition. The recommendation is "Ditch Taro-kun withstand load 50kg" (7,880 yen). It is also a popular product for those who clean the gutters individually.

Step 1: Remove dirt from the back of the lid and grooves. Wear work gloves and safety shoes.

Use a gutter lid lifter and slowly remove the lid. Keep the removed lid on the edge so you don't trip over it.

It will be easier to remove large solidified sludge by using a scraper in narrow areas such as large square scoops and grooves.

Step (2): Scoop up dust and sludge in the gutter After changing the work gloves to rubber gloves, use Jolen to remove solids such as plastic dust from the sludge. Scoop the remaining sludge with a large square scoop.

Since sludge containing water is heavy, be careful not to put a strain on your lower back when scooping. It's a good idea to bend your knees slightly while scooping. Open your legs to the width of your shoulders and put your strength into it.

Step ③: Dry sludge and garbage and put them in sandbags. If you try to spread the sludge and debris flat, it will be easier for the water to evaporate when exposed to sunlight or wind. When dried, it becomes lighter and easier to carry when placed in sandbags.

Set the sandbag on the sandbag stand in advance.

Step ④: Replace the lid Be careful not to pinch your fingers and close the lid slowly.

After cleaning the gutters, it is a good idea to put up a wire mesh or net to prevent dust from entering. Mochi and fish nets sold at 100% are also recommended as substitutes.

Step ⑤: Dispose of sludge Finally, we will dispose of the collected sludge. Sludge generated by gutter cleaning is treated as "industrial waste" and may not be disposed of as general waste.

Since the treatment may differ depending on the municipality, please consult with the municipality that has jurisdiction over the treatment of sludge after cleaning in the town or by yourself.