Gutter maintenance is important. If neglected, gutters can damage a home. Potential issues include overflowing gutters forcing frozen water inside the house and heavy gutters pulling away from the sides of the house. Learn how to clean gutters while keeping you and your home safe.
Gutter Cleaning Safety
Cleaning gutters can be a dangerous task. Here are some safety tips you should follow:
- Use a sturdy ladder with 4 legs; a two-legged ladder is not safe for this project.
- Place the ladder on a flat even surface.
- Wear proper protection such as rubber gloves and goggles. You never know what you’ll find in your gutters including frogs, mice, and bees. Wear protective gear not only to protect you from injuries from animals, but also to make you less likely to panic and lose your balance when suddenly in close quarters with a critter.
- Have a buddy nearby. They can steady the ladder, or just be close in case of emergency. If you can’t have a buddy on-site, call someone and let them know what you are doing.
- Do not clean gutters in inclement weather.
Clean the Roof
Sweep or rake off debris from the roof first. This prevents what’s on the roof collecting in the gutter soon after you spent all that time cleaning.
Clean the Gutters
Use a garden trowel or similar tool to remove gunk from the gutter into a trash bag. Once it’s clean, flush the gutter with a hose to make sure it’s thoroughly emptied. You should clean your gutters at least twice a year, more often if you live under a lot of trees.
There are also specialty tools you can use to clean gutters from the ground. However, this is only possible if your gutters are within reach of the tool. Check how high up your gutters are before you buy!
Clean the Spout
You also need to clean the spout! Remove gunk from the spout using a garden hose or specialty tool.
Clean Gutters are Safe Gutters
Safety is key. If you are not confident about your ability to clean your gutters, you can hire professionals. The important thing is that the job gets done as often as needed to prevent your home from sustaining damage.