Let's face it, cleaning the gutters is a job you would rather just ignore and not do. It is about as much fun as getting your teeth cleaned. However, it is something that NEEDS to be done on a regular basis to prevent one heck of a headache down the road. Your gutters main job is to keep water away from your home, this helps with basement flooding, washouts, and buckling concrete.
You will of course need a ladder as well as gloves. There are many sharp edges throughout your gutter line so gloves are a must (not to mention, you never know the things you will find in your gutter debris). Without getting into too much about ladder safety...please make sure the ladder is tall enough for your roof, sturdy enough to hold your weight, and at the proper angle to help with balance.
Once you have dis-lodged much of the debris, grab a garden hose that is long enough to reach up the ladder and into the gutter. Obviously you will want to wait to turn the hose on until you get the hose up to the gutter. Turn the hose on and make sure that the water can run freely through the downspouts. If you do come across a clog that the water from the hose won't clear, try using a plumbers auger. First attempt to clear the drain by running the auger up from the bottom. If that doesn't work, climb your ladder and try it from the top of the downspout.
A general rule of thumb is cleaning them twice a year depending on the amount of trees you have around your home.
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