Both screen and gutter cleaning are important home maintenance tasks every homeowner should have on their list. Addressing clogged gutters can improve drainage and prevent damage to your foundation. Cleaning window or porch screens can improve airflow and help them last longer.
Here are some guidelines for handling both of these exterior cleaning tasks:
The safest way to clean gutters on a ladder is by using an extension ladder with stabilizer arms. A sturdy extension ladder latches onto the structure to prevent tipping, unlike stepladders, which can increase your risk of falling. It's also a good idea to have an assistant with you to hold the ladder or provide extra help from the ground when needed.
The cleaning of gutters from ladders can take a little longer, but it's safer. Cleaning gutters from the ground requires a garden hose or power washer to clear out the debris. If your home is taller than one story, however, consider hiring a professional for help.
There are multiple ready-made cleaning products available for cleaning screens, whether they be windows or porch screens. Simply spray the product directly onto the screen and scrub with a brush to spread the cleaner into the tiny holes. Some cleaners require rinsing off afterward, so read the included instructions carefully.
It is easiest to scrub screen doors, windows and walls using soap and water. It can take longer than using a cleaning product, but is DIY-friendly and uses supplies you might already have around the house. Fill a large bucket or container with warm water and add mild dish soap. Using a scrub brush or rough sponge, scrub away the dirt and grime to clean screens.
If you have removable screens, it might be tempting to take them down to clean them. However, it's quicker to leave them in place for cleaning. This allows them to dry much faster, as they can get better airflow.
Gutters require relatively minimal maintenance to function properly, but if they are filled with leaves, they can cause obstructions in their downspouts. The snow on the roof will melt and then freeze in the gutter, causing heavy ice blockages which will rip up the gutters from underneath a house.
As for screens, the cleaner the screen, the better the airflow. Not only will you have improved air quality, you'll notice better air circulation in your screened in porch or through your windows. You'll also improve the longevity of your screens by keeping them clean and well-maintained, preventing expensive repairs or replacements down the road.
Some home maintenance tasks are trickier than others, but all combine to ensure your investment will stand the test of time. For gutters and screens, keep these tips in mind to make your seasonal cleaning simpler.
I'm John Mahan, Sales Associate with William Raveis Real Estate, Harwich Port Office.
Throughout his childhood, John Mahan spent summers on Cape Cod at his parents’ home in Dennis Port. His intro to the Cape was, as he puts it, when his parents “carried me down the stairs at Sea Street Beach when I was a week old.” With a lifelong connection to Cape Cod, it seemed only natural for John and his wife, Mary, to move to Harwich – where they still reside – with their two young children in 1996.
Prior to moving to Cape Cod, John lived in the Worcester-Auburn area where he worked for Mass Electric for 10 years and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Utility Workers. When John and his family moved to the Cape, he worked at NSTAR for six years.
John began his career in real estate in 2002 when he joined Team Waystack Realty in Harwich Port. He has been a consistent top producing realtor in the Harwich area for the past 20 years. John’s approachable demeanor, combined with an integral understanding of the Cape Cod residential real estate market, have allowed him to build trusting, long-term relationships with his clients – both sellers and buyers.
