Routine gutter maintenance is a must if you want to protect your roof and exterior from moisture damage. Like most home maintenance tasks, however, you need to observe the proper safety precautions when cleaning your gutters.
These safety precautions include:
Use the Proper Tools and Equipment
You should wear safety goggles and gloves while cleaning your gutters. The goggles protect your eyes from leaves and loose twigs that might get blown away while the gloves protect your bare hands from mold, fungi and pest droppings. Dark humid spaces filled with decaying debris attract all kinds of disease-carrying pests and serve as the perfect breeding ground for mold and other kinds of fungi.
And as an added precaution, scoop the debris away from your body.
Keep the Ladder on a Flat Surface
The ladder should be placed firmly on the ground to reduce the risk of falls. If you’re using a straight or extension ladder, you should follow the 4-to-1-rule while setting it up. The base of the ladder has to be a foot away from the wall for every four feet of its height. For added support, you can also attach it to your home using a standoff bracket.
Don’t have a lot of time for gutter maintenance tasks? You can hire a professional to clean your roof and gutters or install gutter guards. Gutter guards prevent leaves and twigs from entering and clogging your gutters, reducing its maintenance needs. Keep in mind that gutter guards can only reduce, not eliminate, your gutter’s maintenance needs. As such, they still require occasional gutter guard cleaning.
The only exception is Gutter Helmet®, the only brand with Never Clean Clean Your Gutters Again® guarantee. Thanks to its patented design and features, Gutter Helmet allows rainwater to flow unimpeded to your gutters and drains while keeping leaves and debris out.
Gutter Helmet Systems of Alabama offers premium gutter guards, gutter guard cleaning, as well as a wide range of professional home improvement services. To get a free quote, call us at (866) 598-7525 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Chelsea, Alabama, as well as the surrounding communities.
