It’s undeniable that gutter cleaning is one of the most dangerous household tasks. If you plan on climbing a high ladder, unstable ladder without the proper eye and footwear, you are just setting yourself up for a disaster.
Gutter covers are the optimal solution to keeping your gutters clean and debris free, however, gutter cleaning is still an option. Prevent potentially life-threatening personal injuries while gutter cleaning by avoiding these common mistakes.
Gutter Cleaning & Ladder Safety
While climbing the ladder for cleaning gutters, most importantly, you’ll want to make sure you follow proper ladder safety precautions. You may not realize it, but thousands of homeowners are sent to the emergency room each year because of a ladder-related injury.
First, inspect the ladder for cracks, broken or loose hardware, and make sure it is in good working order. If you are unfamiliar with your ladder, or it hasn’t been used in quite some time, this step is very important.When you begin gutter cleaning, be sure to have a friend or family member secure the base of the ladder. Stepladders are dangerous because they give a false sense of security. You should never underestimate that ladders are a dangerous tool.
Proper Footwear for Gutter Cleaning
When moving up and down a ladder, remember to wear clean shoes with rubber soles. Rubber soles are your best bet for footwear because they prevent slip and fall accidents.
You should avoid wearing flip flops or sandals, as these type of shoes offer the least support.
Improper Gutter Cleaning Tools
If you have decided to tackle gutter cleaning on your own, it’s important to have proper gutter cleaning tools. Vacuum attachments, rotary gutter cleaning systems, and gutter sprays, although not ideal, can make gutter cleaning a bit easier.
Overreaching while Gutter Cleaning
We get it – it can be quite annoying to have to reposition the ladder every time you want to move it. Ladders are awkward, so it can be tempting to try and reach out as far as possible to get at the gunk in your gutters. Whatever you do, do not overreach while on your ladder. This can throw you off balance and lead to a dangerous tumble. Although it’s annoying, we recommend repositioning the ladder to get you closer to your work.
Not Using Protective Gear
Many homeowners attempt cleaning gutters without any protective gear. There are a few important essentials that you won’t want to gutter clean without.
Eye protection is a must – you never know what will fly out of a downspout with gutter cleaning. Additionally, pests like bees, wasps, birds and frogs could be lurking in your gutters, and you wouldn’t want them coming at your unprotected face.
Invest in some heavy-duty gloves to protect your hands from sharp objects and other surprises. Gloves will protect your hands from painful cuts and bacteria filled debris.
Why Waste Time Gutter Cleaning when there is LeafFilter?
Gutter cleaning isn’t only time consuming – it is extremely dangerous, too! To avoid gutter cleaning altogether, gutter covers are a convenient alternative to cleaning your gutters multiple times per year.
LeafFilter Gutter Protection is a gutter cover that is installed on your existing gutters, eliminating gutter cleaning for life. Micromesh gutter covers prevent leaves, debris, shingle grit, everything but water from entering and clogging your gutters. This allows fresh water to flow freely through your gutters away from your home, mitigating any damage that is associated with clogged gutters.
Request a no-pressure, free estimate from LeafFilter and learn how our gutter covers can protect your home from the dangers of gutter cleaning.
