Cleaning gutters is a dreaded maintenance project for most homeowners. Who enjoys climbing a ladder and scooping out dirty, wet leaves and debris? Even wearing gloves doesn’t make it a pleasant job. But preventing clogs so rainwater can run free is important, and it protects siding and roofs from water damage.
The costliest choice is to hire a gutter company to install custom-made gutter guards. But installing mesh screens in the gutter is a less-expensive option, whether it is done by a handyman or you do it yourself. The mesh screen is sold in 4-foot sections and snaps together with an overlap. It is designed for 4-inch-wide gutters to prevent those leaves and debris from accumulating.
A handyman will charge $350 to install 250 feet of mesh guards. You can buy the guards for $75, do it yourself and pocket a 79 percent saving. The sections connect by clipping or snapping them together. To cut them to size use tin snips or heavy scissors.
Before the mesh screens are installed, thoroughly clean the gutters. If you do the job, carefully position a ladder against the house and then, wearing heavy gloves, scoop out the dirt and debris that has settled in the gutters. To keep the lawn tidy, put the debris in a bucket and then transfer it to a garbage bag when the bucket fills up. You can scoop out the debris and throw it to the ground, but that creates more cleanup work. Work your way around the perimeter of the house, moving the ladder every few feet. Use a garden hose to flush out the gutters and clean them before installing the guards
To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.
Pro Cost — DIY Cost — Pro time — DIY Time — DIY Savings — Percent Saved
$350 — $75 — 6.0 — 7.0 — $275 — 79 Percent
Copyright 2023 Gene and Katie Hamilton. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
