Safety Tips for Cleaning Gutters

6/17/2020

Gutters play a very important role in keeping your home functioning at its best. In fact, when they’re clean, they will keep debris caused by rain and snow from doing damage to your home’s exterior, protecting your home’s interior walls and floors, not to mention your roof and yard.

That’s why it’s essential to clean your gutters on a regular basis. If you don’t, you could incur thousands of dollars of damage down the road. And while gutter cleaning isn’t particularly difficult, it needs to be done while following safety protocols.

Tips on how to clean your gutters safely

Start with the roof

Wearing rubber-soled, nonslip shoes, clear the roof of any debris before you clean the gutters. This will help avoid any debris like branches from falling on you while you work. It’s also a great opportunity to inspect the roof for any cracks or loose or broken shingles.

Clean when necessary

You don’t have to clean your gutters monthly. Just twice a year in the spring and fall should do the trick, especially if you don’t live in a wooded area with a lot of tree coverage around your house. The more you clean your gutters, the more you’re putting yourself at risk of falls from ladders and the roof. So, limit the amount of times you clean the gutters to stay safe.

Know how to use the ladder

Make sure your ladder is sturdy and that it’s secured to the ground. Inspect it thoroughly before you climb it to make sure it does not have any rotted or rusted areas. If you start climbing and feel it wobble, climb down immediately and secure the ladder on the ground.

Don’t work alone

Never climb up to the gutters without having someone there to spot you. Enlist someone to stay on the ground and hold the ladder. They can also help by keeping tools close by and can clean the debris that falls to the ground as you work.

Wear Protection

Wear gloves whenever you clean the gutters because some of the debris you discover will likely be old, rotting leaves, animal droppings, and the even carcasses of birds or small animals. You’ll also want to use protective glasses if possible, especially if you’re using cleaning products on the roof.

It’s also a good idea to wear a hat and use sunscreen (even in the fall) as roofs are often exposed to full sun. A long-sleeved shirt and pants are also a good idea. They will come in handy if you are unlucky enough to uncover a bee or hornet’s nest in the gutters.

Use the appropriate tools

Make sure you have the right tools for the job before you begin. Have a bucket handy to load the tools. Keep it close to the roof so it’s within easy access when you start the job.

Call the Professionals

If your gutters are in need of a good cleaning but you’d prefer to have it done by professionals, give the team at CertainTeed a call. We’ve been helping homeowners like you keep their gutter and roof working it’s best for many years, and we’re here to help you as well.