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Cleaning Gutters

With spring fast approaching, you’ll need to start with your major gutter cleaning projects to ensure that your home is ready for the rain and melting snow. If not completed on schedule, you could be looking at damage to your roof and siding. However, you need to take the proper precautions to do a project like this safely.

Here’s our guide to ensuring complete safety while maintaining your gutters.

Clothing and Tools

First, make sure that you have all the right tools, apparel, and protection. Check your boots to make sure they have rubber soles that aren’t worn away and make sure you have thick high-quality gloves to protect against bacteria, ideally made of suede. Regularly check your gloves for rips and tears as you work, as metal or sharp materials can damage them.

Eyewear should be used in case of spray or hazardous materials. You don’t know what’s ended up in your gutters—you should protect yourself from germs and disease.

Finally, consider purchasing a plastic scooper for easier access and removal. Under no circumstances should you use a metal scooper, as these can damage your gutters and cause rust.

Notify Someone

Before you begin any major gutter cleaning project, always tell a friend, family member, or neighbor that you’ll be working on your roof. Schedule a check-in every half hour to hour you’re working.

Check Your Ladder

You need a safe and secure ladder for any roof work. If you’re doing a single-story structure, a four-legged ladder will work, but for anything taller, you should ideally have an extension ladder. Avoid using an orchard ladder if you can. The ideal material is fiberglass or aluminum, and you should avoid wooden ladders. Whatever you use will need a shelf capable of supporting the bucket of materials.

Your ladder may have experienced some wear and tear, so inspect it thoroughly. Check all screws and bolts to make sure they’re properly tightened. Look for dents and warping in the metal. Finally, ensure that all hinge arms are properly locked before using the ladder.

Evaluate the Roof

When you climb up on the roof, look it over carefully. Check all electrical cables to make sure they’re properly attached and secure. Look for downed or loose branches, and make sure that there is no pooling water or damage to the roof.

Clear the Roof

Take a rake and clear away any debris from the roof. If possible, use a garden hose with a pistol-grip trigger spray nozzle to clear away grime and lose materials. Then hang the hose securely over the front edge of the gutter to loosen up the debris.

After you take all of the precautionary steps, you should be safe to begin clearing the gutters.

For maximum safety, you can take steps to improve the performance of your gutters and reduce the amount of work necessary each year. Our premium gutter protection systems will ensure that your biannual cleanings are safe and easy. Contact us today to begin securing your home against the elements.

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