Gutter cleaning is a crucial home maintenance activity that helps prevent foundation damage, leaks, and other significant problems. Although removing trash from your gutters seems simple, it may be hazardous if not done correctly, mainly because you will most likely be working from the top of a ladder. It is particularly riskier if your house has a high roof or if this is the first time you have done something like this.
Homeowners should avoid various gutter-cleaning faults to prevent expensive mistakes and dangerous circumstances. Maintaining clean and debris-free gutters is easy with a few safety measures and a regular cleaning routine. Learn how to avoid these typical gutter-cleaning blunders to guarantee that this maintenance chore runs smoothly season after season.
1. You need to clean your gutters more often.
Fuquay Varina Gutters & Power Washing Gutter Protection, says one of the most common gutter cleaning and maintenance blunders homeowners make is not cleaning them as regularly as they should. The standard advice is at least twice a year; however, more regular cleanings may be required depending on your terrain.
“For example, if trees surround your house, you will need to clean your gutters more than twice a year because your gutters are exposed to more debris and leaves,” he explains. Keep an eye on the state of your gutters throughout the year, and if necessary, schedule semi-annual gutter cleanings in your calendar to guarantee this duty is completed.
2. You clean your gutters at an inconvenient moment.
Timing is also critical to the success of any drainage system.
Operates effectively when required. “Unpredictable weather and storms can exacerbate damage to your home if your gutters are clogged or insufficient,” Fuquay Varina Gutters & Power Washing warns. Plan gutter cleaning ahead of time during severe weather in your neighborhood. For many areas, this involves cleaning gutters in the spring and autumn to prepare for summer storms and harsh winter weather.
3. You need to be adequately protected.
Gutter cleaning is a filthy affair; you do not want to put your bare hands into a cluster of dirty, decaying leaves. To protect your hands from sharp things, put on heavy-duty work gloves.
Sharp items are hiding in the trash. Slips on the ladder may also be avoided by wearing rubber-soled shoes with a solid grip. Remember to use eye protection. “When cleaning gutters, you never know what might fly out of the downspout,” Fuquay Varina Gutters & Power Washing explains.
4. You are not adhering to ladder safety procedures.
A fall from a ladder may cause severe damage or even death. Therefore adequate safety precautions must be used while cleaning your gutters. Before mounting the ladder, thoroughly inspect it and verify that the base has stable, equal footing. Hold the bottom of the ladder for a family member or acquaintance.
Added stability. If you do not have a helper, Fuquay Varina Gutters & Power Washing recommends informing another person that you will use a ladder in case of an accident.
Keep your hips between the ladder’s side rails to retain your balance and prevent overreaching. “Always move the ladder to a new location rather than reaching deeper down your gutters to avoid potential falls,” Fuquay Varina Gutters & Power Washing advises.
5. You need to use the right tools.
While scooping leaves and debris from gutters with gloved hands may be helpful, some equipment can simplify the process. For example, a shop vacuum with a gutter-cleaning attachment ($30, The Home Depot) may assist in rapidly taking away light gutter debris like leaves or pine needles. Fuquay Varina Gutters & Power Washing suggests that some homeowners use a power washer to blast gunk out of their gutters for heavy accumulation. However, if you cannot use the instrument securely, clearing your gutters by hand or hiring a professional is advisable.
6. You still need to put up gutter guards.
Make cleaning simpler by keeping debris out of your gutters in the first place. Gutter guards, often composed of perforated metal or mesh, trap leaves, tree droppings, and other debris while enabling water to flow freely through your home’s drainage system. Gutter guards might be a sensible purchase that protects your property in the long term if you live in an area with a lot of trees or if you occasionally overlook gutter cleaning.
