It's not often that the political arena mixes with the world of interiors, but when it comes to the Vice Presidential candidate (AKA, "America's Dad"), home cleaning is an issue that is being brought to the forefront.
Minnesota governor Tim Walz recently hopped on Subway Takes, a TikTok series wherein guests give their thoughts and opinions on topics ranging from picnics to designer clothing. Walz's stance? Home improvement begins with cleaning the gutters. 'I’ve had problems with gutters before,' he says in the clip. 'You get your basement wet, you get ice dams, it causes a lot of problems.'
His solution to this fraught household issue is simple: invest in gutter helmets or gutter guards for optimal protection. 'It covers it and lets the water go through,' he explains. 'It keeps the water out of your house.'
Walz says he keeps a keen eye on his own gutters, and it's one of the first things he takes note of in a home. However, he believes that gutter care is indicative of responsible home management.
'I look quite often; I try not to be judgmental,' he says, noting that gutter care is more significant than garden care, in his opinion. 'But when I see a well-tended gutter, it says a lot about a person. I think gutters are a big thing; they really matter.' We can also take steps to improve our home with a gutter guard, available on Amazon below.
This guard keeps leaves, twigs, seeds, and furry pests from entering the roofline while handling the heaviest downpours and other harsh weather conditions. It also solves leakage problems, allowing absolutely no leak stains or marks.
Experts agree that caring for gutters is a crucial element in maintaining a happy and healthy home. We got some additional tips from the cleaning experts at Toolstation, who emphasize Walz's argument: cleaning our gutters is one of the most important things we can do for our home.
'Gutters should be cleaned out and checked for damage each year. The job is best done in late fall after all the leaves have fallen. It's always best to wear sturdy work gloves to avoid scraping your hands on rough or rusty edges or on tiles or slates,' they explain.
Before starting, they suggest we'll need a ladder, protective gloves, a small trowel [such as this from Amazon], a bucket, and a piece of hardboard or a large rag. A hosepipe could be useful, too.
'To clean an overflowing gutter, you should put a piece of hardboard at the bottom of the downpipe to prevent debris from getting into the gully or drain, which could cause a blockage. Then scoop out any debris with the trowel and take care not to let anything drop into the downpipe and try to avoid debris falling down the walls because it may cause stains that could be hard to remove.' We'll get started with this job this fall.
