Tiger stripes are an unsightly blemish on properties and can cause structural damage in addition to lowering curb appeal. The bold streaks are unmistakable, but they don’t have to be a permanent addition to your property. While removing tiger stripes can be challenging, it is possible, and it is the best way to give your gutters a shot at a fresh start. 

What Are Tiger Stripes?

Tiger stripes are streaks of dirt and grime that accumulate on gutters and fascias. They are not an indication of a poor paint job, and they don’t even necessarily have to contain mold (which is what most people think of when they see black along the side of a building). Unfortunately, because they form on gutters, which are usually white, they show up in bold relief.

Tiger stripes are eye-catching in the worst way possible, unable to blend in until they can be cleaned. The only positive we can draw from this is that it often pushes removing tiger stripes to the top of the priority list. For reference, tiger stripes are also sometimes called zebra stripes.

What Causes Tiger Stripes on Gutters?

Tiger stripes begin when the debris within gutters spills over the lip. If gutters are not covered or regularly cleaned out, the gunk inside of them, be it dirt, chimney fumes, or other sludge, drips over the edge in stripes. 

The stripes attract moisture, adding insult to injury by dripping black sludge from the gutter’s lip. The original debris can be anything—pollen, dirt, pollution, sap, mildew or insecticides—but the grimey cocktail mixed with water always leaves black or brown stripes. On white gutters or siding, these marks are unmistakable. 

How Do You Get Rid of Tiger Stripes?

When removing tiger stripes, you must take care so you don’t damage your gutters or siding. You should also be careful so that you don’t get hurt. Using a wand or other extension to wipe out your gutters from the ground may be a better alternative than mounting a ladder. A wand won’t help you check the inside edge of your gutter for tiger stripes, though. 

The key to removing tiger stripes is to use the right detergent (more on that below) and the right brush. Trying to scrape away the stripes with a metal brush or something similarly hard is a great way to gouge your gutters. A rag or soft brush is a much better alternative to avoid damage. To preserve your gutter’s glossy metal finish, don’t scrub too vigorously. Work in increments. You can always add more pressure, but you can’t undo a scrubbing that was too forceful.

What Is the Best Cleaner for Removing Tiger Stripes?

The best cleaner for your gutters depends on the material they are made from, but using a non-abrasive household detergent cleaner is generally a safe bet. There are also many products on the market that are geared toward cleaning gutters. If you opt for one of these, make sure it doesn’t contain paint removers, ammonia, or other abrasive solvents. Using any of these is a sure way to remove or soften the finish on your aluminum gutters. 

Sometimes a generic cleaning solution is not enough when removing tiger stripes. In such cases, you will need a more heavy-duty cleaning solution. This is certainly true if your tiger stripes are biologically unsafe, containing traces of mold or mildew. These fungi have to be killed if you don’t want the stripes to come back and cause respiratory issues. Clean these away with germicides like bleach.

Can Tiger Stripes Be Prevented?

A better alternative to removing tiger stripes is to prevent them in the first place. You can accomplish this by attending to your gutter cleaning annually at the very least. The most effective time to clean gutters is after the worst of the pollen season in the spring and after the brunt of autumn’s leaf falls. 

You can also prevent debris buildup and spillover by covering your gutters in the first place. You are far less likely to have tiger stripes if the majority of debris misses your gutters and the rest doesn’t have a chance to pour over the edge.

Pressure Washing Gutters

Pressure washing gutters is an efficient and time-sensitive method for cleaning them and preventing tiger stripes from forming. While you can wash your gutters by hand, pressure washing them packs a punch and can be handled by the professionals. As a matter of fact, if you plan to have your gutters pressure washed, you should let a professional team handle it so they can employ a soft washing technique and avoid damaging soft roof tiles.