As most homeowners know, cleaning your gutters is an exhausting, yet necessary task. You should think about cleaning your gutters at least twice a year to avoid the buildup that could end up flooding your basement or damaging your foundation.
Now, most people think that cleaning your gutters just means stepping onto a ladder and removing some debris. But, it’s usually a bit more than that. If you want to find out which mistakes are most common when cleaning your gutters and how to avoid making them — keep on reading.
Ladder Safety
Before you step onto the ladder to clean your gutters, make sure you’ve read the instructions printed on them. Then, inspect the ladder and check for any potential damage. If you see any cracks, avoid using it and get a new one.
Next, remember the three-point system — two hands and a foot or two feet and a hand must be on the ladder at all times. Also, you should always have someone to help you secure the base of your ladder.
Finally, and this might be the most important step — set your ladder down on a firm surface. Don’t clean your gutters after heavy rainfall, because you could slip and fall off the ladder.
Overreaching
Another common mistake you can make when cleaning your gutters is overreaching. Yes, we know that stepping off your ladder and moving them every time is annoying. But, it is crucial that you do so to avoid hurting yourself.
Using the Wrong Type of Ladder
Every ladder has a specific weight and height limitation. If you see that you’re over the height or weight limit, you might get hurt when you step on it. Also, if your ladder is a bit too short to clean gutters, don’t try to extend them by adding random objects.
Protective Clothing
Next, we also wanted to talk about protective clothing. One of the worst things you can do while cleaning your gutters is wearing open-toed shoes or shorts. When you’re stepping on a ladder, wear shoes with rubber soles and make sure they’re closed.
Also, remember to put on a hardhat. In case of a fall, a hardhat could save your life. Now, it’s also important to wear protective eyewear and gloves. When you’re cleaning, wear safety glasses to avoid getting debris in your eyes. On the other hand, gloves will protect your hands from any debris or bacteria that could be lurking in your gutters.
Using the Wrong Tools
There’s more to cleaning your gutters than stepping on a ladder and scooping out some debris. If you want to avoid cleaning them every few months, here are some of the things you’ll need:
- Garbage bags or tarp
- Hand trowel
- Hose spray attachment
- Plumber’s snake
But, even with these tools, your gutters could still be clogged — which brings us to our next point.
Clogged Gutters
Since it’s sometimes difficult to see the interiors of your gutters, you might not be able to unclog them completely. If your gutters get clogged, the water won’t be able to trickle down and it could damage your foundation. Consider having gutter guards installed to keep your gutters clear of debris.
Gutter Guards
By installing gutter guards, you’ll be able to keep your gutters free of leaves, debris, and wildlife. Also, you won’t have to clean them so often, and they’ll become resistant to freezing, rust, and holes. At M&M Home Remodeling Services, we can install your gutter guards, and you won’t have to worry about a thing. We’ve been doing it for over 40 years, and we guarantee our customers’ satisfaction.
Things to Consider
There you have it – the most common mistakes to avoid when cleaning your gutters. As you can see, it can be a dangerous job, and you need to be extremely careful when cleaning. First, make sure your ladder is not damaged and never try to overreach.
Also, remember to wear protective gear, like closed-toe shoes, gloves, and glasses. Finally, make sure to use the right tools for the job. If you want to keep your gutters clean for a longer time — consider investing in gutter guards. They’ll save you a lot of time and money in the future while keeping your gutters debris-free.
