Cleaning gutters is an essential household chore that should be done regularly. However, this job can be dangerous when not handled properly. Uneven ladder footing, careless passersby, and shifting ladders can all pose a threat to your safety.
To help you avoid these hazards, here are Gutter Cleaning Tips Everybody Should Know.
Get the Right Tools
Clean gutters are essential for the proper function of your home’s roof, siding, and foundation. Fortunately, cleaning your gutters doesn’t have to be difficult. The key is to have the right tools and know what you’re doing. In addition, knowing what mistakes to avoid can make the process even easier and safer.
Depending on the size of your house and your yard, you may need to use a ladder to reach all the gutters. If you do, it’s important to have the right ladder setup. A stepladder is fine for one-story houses, but an extension ladder is needed for homes with two or more stories. Also, make sure the ladder is set up on level ground and that it’s secure against the house with a lanyard.
Next, you’ll need a gutter scoop or a garden shovel to scoop out debris from the tops and sides of your gutters. A plastic gutter scoop is usually the best choice because it has a front scooping edge that is designed to fit inside the shape of the gutter trough. In addition, it’s easy to find at most hardware stores and is fairly inexpensive. Once you have the right tools, it’s time to climb that ladder and start working!
One of the most common mistakes that homeowners make when it comes to gutter maintenance is not cleaning them as often as they should. Generally, experts recommend cleaning your gutters at least twice per year. However, more frequent cleanings may be necessary if you have a lot of trees in your yard or if your gutter system is very large and overflows easily.
Other things to watch out for include peeled paint near gutters, mildew and water damage directly below the gutters, and clogged drains and downspouts. If you’re dealing with a serious clog, you might need to snake the drain or use a drain cleaner to break down dirt and gunk in the gutters. Otherwise, simply spraying the gutters with a garden hose should do the trick.
Don’t Overreach
Gutter cleaning is a crucial part of home maintenance that can help your roof, siding, and foundation last longer and protect your property from water-related issues. However, if you’re not careful when you’re climbing up on a ladder, you could fall off and be injured. In fact, each year thousands of people are sent to the emergency room for ladder-related injuries, and some of these even result in death.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when gutter cleaning is trying to reach too far from their ladder. This is why it’s important to always have someone spot you while you’re on a ladder. It’s also a good idea to tell them what you’re doing so they can check on you from time to time.
It’s also important to be aware of the height and weight limitations of your ladder. Trying to climb too far can lead to you falling off or tipping over the ladder completely. It’s better to reposition your ladder instead of trying to reach too far from it.
Finally, it’s a good idea to wear protective gear when cleaning your gutters. This includes gloves, a dust mask, and eye protection. Gutter sludge can be full of bacteria, mold, and animal waste, which can all be harmful to your health if inhaled. Plus, with all the mud and debris in your hands, wearing protective gloves will save you from slipping or cutting yourself.
Lastly, it’s essential to plan ahead when you’re cleaning your gutters. This way you can get the job done when it’s most convenient for you. Especially during periods when severe weather is likely to occur, it’s important to clean your gutters before the damage can worsen.
By following these simple tips, you can safely and efficiently clean your gutters. And don’t forget, if you don’t feel comfortable climbing on a ladder or you can’t do the job safely, it’s always best to hire professional services! You work hard for your home, and you deserve to have it protected by professionals. To learn more about protecting your home, visit our blog.
Don’t Throw Debris to the Ground
While many homeowners dread cleaning gutters, it’s an important part of maintaining your home. Clogged gutters can lead to roof, wall, foundation, and landscaping damage. Gutter cleaning can also be messy, so it’s important to plan ahead and take some safety precautions. Here are some tips on how to make the job easier and safer:
The first thing you should do when cleaning your gutters is to secure the ladder. Always keep your feet on the rungs of the ladder, not on anything that can shift, such as landscaping rocks or mulch. You can also use a ladder stabilizer, which can help prevent the ladder from tipping.
Another important step is to prepare your work area by clearing away any debris or trash that could fall into the gutters while you’re working. This will prevent the need for you to go back and clean up your mess later. You should also make sure to close any gates or doors that are near your gutters so critters and insects don’t get in.
When you’re ready to start the actual cleaning process, it’s a good idea to wear work gloves. This will prevent any scratches or cuts you might get from the sharp debris that gets stuck in your gutters. You should also be aware of any power lines above you and avoid touching them with your body or tools.
Once you’re ready to begin the cleaning process, start by scooping up large debris and putting it into a bucket. You should also start by removing any caked-in leaves, sticks, or bio-matter by hand. If you have a hose with a pistol-grip nozzle, now’s the time to use it to break up any remaining clogs. Start at the end of your gutter closest to the downspout and spray a powerful stream of water down the length of the gutter, making sure to spray any clogs that you can’t reach with your hand or a tool.
The final step in the gutter cleaning process is to sweep any remaining debris off of the gutters with a broom or leaf blower. Depending on your property, you may have to do this from the ground instead of using a ladder. Lastly, be sure to dispose of all of the debris properly to avoid attracting critters and other unwanted visitors to your yard.
Don’t Climb a Ladder Without a Dump Bucket
Gutter cleaning is messy work, and the debris that falls to the ground can attract mosquitoes, bees and wasps, rodents, and other critters. It’s also dangerous to carry heavy objects up and down a ladder, especially when you’re on a shaky ladder or in an unstable position. If you’re climbing a ladder without a dump bucket, your garbage will end up on the roof and can cause serious damage. This is why it’s important to invest in a gutter cleaning tool that allows you to scoop up debris and dump it safely on the ground below.
Gutter cleaners are easy to find online or at local home improvement stores. They usually have long handles and a metal nozzle that attaches to your garden hose. The nozzle is aimed at the gutter and sprays water in a circular motion. This forces any clogs out of the gutter and flushes out dirt, leaves, and other debris. It’s important to wear thick work gloves while using a gutter cleaner, as it may be difficult to reach into the clumps of rotting leaves barehanded. Gloves will protect your hands from bacteria, as well as any sharp sections of the gutter that can cut your skin. You’ll also want to wear rubber-soled shoes, a dust mask, and safety goggles for added protection from pests, as well as any debris that can fly out of the gutter as you’re working.
You can also use a large plastic bucket to collect your debris, if it’s dry. Just cut off the bottom of the bucket and fasten a trash bag to it, just under the handle. As you scoop up debris, it will funnel down into the trash bag. This method works well for dry, bulky debris but it won’t be effective for wet, heavy gutters. If you’re unsure about the gutters on your house, or don’t feel comfortable climbing a ladder to clean them, it’s a good idea to hire a professional gutter cleaning service. They will have the tools and knowledge to safely clean your gutters and ensure that they drain properly.