As a homeowner, it’s important to appreciate the significance of keeping your gutter clean. Regular gutter maintenance plays a crucial role in protecting your home, and prevents costly repairs caused by a rainwater and freezing.
The gutter drain can be a nightmare for people who have no idea how to do it, and is often left in a mess. It may need to be cleaned every few years to prevent future clogs and problems. However, you’ll need to have your gutters cleaned regularly if you live in an area that is prone to extreme temperatures.
It is a good idea to seek out the help of a professional, who is trained in cleaning gutter systems. They’ll often give you several tips and tricks which will make the job go much more smoothly. They may also advise purchasing gutter covers and which are the best to buy; these handy tools help to protect the roof from being ruined if the rainwater gets inside.
In this article, we discuss some of the top tips for cleaning your gutters.
1. Ladder safety
Cleaning gutters can be a tedious task, and requires skill. If you know what you’re doing, they’re easy to clean. The most important thing to keep in mind when cleaning your gutter or conducting gutter replacements is your safety.
When you’re using a ladder, make sure to notify someone. Use a strong ladder; it must be able to support a 5-gallon bucket, full with gutter trash and debris. Choose a four-step ladder for a single-story structure – for a two-story or higher building, an extension ladder is ideal.
Don’t use an orchard ladder, as it has three legs for support and one can easily lose balance. A wooden one is also not recommended, since they can wobble.
2. Protect Your Hands
While cleaning your gutter, make sure to protect your hands. You may also need to wear gloves as this will help prevent any possible injury. Putting your bare hands in the gutter can expose you to several health risks. Wearing thick gloves can prevent your hands from the bacteria in the rotten debris. Gloves also protect your hands from any sharp metals and edges that may be found in the debris and can keep you from cutting yourself.
Suede gloves are better than cotton, rubber, or leather gloves when it comes to cleaning the gutter.
3. Use A Gutter Scoop
The easiest and the best method for cleaning out your gutter is to use a gutter scoop to remove the debris. For cleaning out leafy debris, opt for a plastic scooping tool. Avoid using metal scoops as the base of the gutter and seams may be damaged.
4. Use A Garden Hose
To wash out the gutter, use a water hose with a high-pressure nozzle. Choose a nozzle that allows you to adjust the water pressure easily. This can get messy; be careful not to splatter the debris all over the house.
5. Wear Rubber Shoes
If your roof’s slope is very gentle, it may be a better option to work on it without a ladder. You can opt for rubber-soled shoes that are ideal for preventing falls. However, you can only work in this way after you’ve made sure that it’s absolutely safe to do so.
6. Be Aware Of Power Lines
Before you start cleaning, inspect where the cables connect to the roof. Make sure that the protective insulation of the wires hasn’t worn away. If your cables look damaged, call on a professional service to clean your gutter, don’t do it by yourself; you may also want to call an electrician, depending on the kind of damage the cables have received.
Hiring A Professional Gutter Cleaning Service
While some homeowners may find it easy to clean their gutter by themselves, it’s better to hire a professional service when your building is more than two stories and your ladder doesn’t reach the gutter. If unclogging your gutter is proving a challenge or it requires serious repair, it’s better to call a professional gutter cleaning service to do the job.
Conclusion
To ensure the safety of your home from a water damage, it’s important to clean your gutters at least twice a year. If you’re living in an area that’s prone to extreme weather conditions, then you may need to do it more often.
When cleaning your gutter by yourself, make sure to take proper precautions, including a sturdy ladder and proper protective gear for your eyes, hands and feet.