Gov. Tim Walz Has A Surprisingly Down-To-Earth Love For Home Maintenance

Learning to clean your gutters and downspouts is a vital home maintenance skill to master. Yet, the 41st Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, believes that gutters are "the most neglected part of home ownership," per Instagram. In a recent sit-down with SubwayTakes' Kareem Rahma, the VP candidate confessed that he preferred clean gutters over tidy yards. This is because if the former is uncared for, it could lead to a lot of issues, including a leaking roof, water pooling in the basement, damaged shingles due to ice dams, uninvited freeloaders (aka pests), structural damage, and unchecked mold takeover. Worse, your home insurance might not cover the damages incurred, leaving you in a bind. Since neglecting to clean your gutters does more harm than you think, it's best to clean them two to three times annually.

Schedule a cleaning session in the spring and fall months to clear out the accumulated leaves, nestling bugs and insects, and other debris. It'll also make sure that water can easily make its way to the drain, minimizing the chances of moisture damage. However, if you experience rainfall for the better part of a year, have trees that shed leaves often, or live in an active storm zone, you'll have to clear the channels more regularly. To ensure your hard work doesn't go to waste, Gov. Tim Walz recommends installing "gutter helmets." These gutter guards keep the debris out and help maintain a clear channel for water to pass.

To prevent discerning visitors like Gov. Tim Walz from side-eyeing your house (and you!) based on the channel's cleanliness, and — more importantly — to keep potential fire incidents to a minimum, you must know how to really clean your gutters. The first step is to consider the gutter's condition. So, grab your trusty ladder (an extension one is more stable than step), position it carefully, and ask someone to spot you to err on the side of caution. You'll have to replace the structure if it boasts pronounced fissures or is leaning away from your house. Alternatively, you'll have to repair moisture damage, indicated by the presence of rust and small pool of water underneath the drain.

However, if it's just leaves and debris cluttering up the conduit, don safety goggles and a clean pair of gloves, grab a bucket (or garbage bag) to easily collect waste, and arm yourself with a gutter scoop (a trowel or a kid-sized sand shovel work, too) to eliminate them. In case you don't have an extension ladder handy or don't want to get your hands dirty, use a leaf blower, garden hose, power washer, or wet/dry vac to clean the gutter. But if you're not 100% comfortable climbing a ladder and moving about constantly to clear out the buildup, contact a professional. You'll have to shell out between $119 to $234 to have a pro clean your clogged gutters.