How to Replace Eavestrough
People take pride in the decor inside their homes, and it makes a dramatic statement when entertaining family and friends. Unfortunately, the outside sometimes gets left behind a bit, and usually, there is a springtime push to bring it up to snuff for the warm, sunny months.
One area outside the home is the eavestroughs, and these rain catchers channel water away from your home. They have to be cleaned out periodically because of debris, but then they do their job well. What about the outside of the eavestroughs? Are they looking weathered and dirty? This isn’t something you can quickly wipe off because the dirt and grime are a little more resilient than you think.
There are solutions to this dingy, stained mess that covers them, and with a little know-how and the right supplies, you can bring them back to their original lustre. What’s the secret? This is how to clean the outside of eavestroughs.
Pressure Washer
This starting point will get any chunky debris and dirt off the surface. Don’t expect a pressure washer to clean them completely because you will spend too much time and potentially damage them simultaneously.
To complete this first phase, rent, borrow, or purchase a pressure washer. They are fairly cheap and come in handy for several tasks. Hook up your hose and use a ladder or safe platform to reach the eaves and start spraying. Don’t get too close with the wand; be careful not to damage aluminum windows or chip paint on your siding. Make a few deliberate passes along the eavestroughs, and then you will be done with this machine.
Cleaning Solutions
Several dedicated eavestrough cleaners work well; you can probably find them at your local grocery store or home improvement centre. You can also use other cleaners, but be careful that they aren’t so corrosive that they damage the aluminum or vinyl material. If the cleaner is concentrated, follow directions for dilution and the best application and cleaning.
You can also make a DIY solution with different household ingredients:
Liquid Dish Soap and Baking Soda
These are good for breaking up stains, decontaminating, and deodorizing the sections and downspout.
Vinegar and Water
A dilution of one cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water is ideal for environmentally friendly cleaning.
Cream of Tarter
This acidic salt breaks down grime and stains well. Mix it with water to make a paste for scrubbing.
Scrubbing Utensils
Now that you are ready to go, you need something to tackle the surface of the eavestroughs. This can be a hand-held sponge or scrubber, but you must be up close and personal, using a ladder or scaffold. A long-handled brush is much safer and faster. Find one with an adjustable handle to reach all areas and apply enough pressure to get the job done.
Apply your cleaning solution with a sprayer or hose attachment and scrub your way down each run. Allow the cleaning chemicals to work their magic, and then use your garden hose with a sprayer to rinse thoroughly. Consider this round one because you will probably find dirty spots that need more attention. Set yourself back up, work directly on the dirty areas, and then follow with another rinse.
P.P.E.
When doing any cleaning job that requires chemicals, you should always wear the appropriate personal protection equipment. Gloves are necessary, but you should also consider wearing safety glasses because flying debris can fall around you as you pressure wash, scrub, and spray down the sections.
What You Are Going to Deal With
Eavestroughs do their work outside, exposing them to all kinds of filth. These are some of the contaminants that get onto your eavestrough:
Moss
This green plant thrives in damp, shady areas and reproduces, spreading their spores.
Grime is defined as thick and engrained dirt on a surface, making it hard to remove.
Black Streaks
Also called tiger strips, these result from organic matter residue, air pollution, and tar from asphalt roofs. The tar spills over the eavestroughs and stains the material.
Corrosion
Aluminum eavestroughs don’t rust but can become corrupted by the weather or living near the ocean.
This is how to clean the outside of eavestroughs. It is not a task for the faint of heart, so be prepared for a full day of manual labour. You can also hire outdoor house cleaning professionals to take on the job, and you will be more than happy with the results. You will gain a beautiful look that frames your home and sparkles like new.
