Precautions to Take When Cleaning Out Your Gutters

As homeowners we tend to think of our home as a safe haven. However, when performing the tasks needed to maintain your home it can quickly become a danger zone. Maintenance related accidents occur all too often. Some of the more common areas where accidents happen are stairways, bathrooms, kitchens, and any project involving a ladder such as cleaning gutters.

There are several things to be aware of when cleaning your gutters. Here are just a few…

Ladder placement 

This is an important aspect of cleaning out gutters. A ladder that is placed on unstable ground or in an uneven position can cause serious damage not only to your body but your house as well. Make sure that you have placed your ladder on stable ground. Do not let the ladder lean against the roof or the gutters because this can cause damage to your roof, paint or the gutters themselves resulting in costly repairs. You can purchase an A-Frame ladder to reduce the risk of damaging your home.

Electrical Wiring

There may be situations where there are wires that are placed in close proximity to the roof. In connection with unstable ladders, a person may lose his/her balance and reach for the closest thing to break their fall. If the nearest thing is a live wire this could result in tragedy depending on the severity of the situation. Always make yourself familiar with the locations of the electrical connections and make sure that there are no live wires near your gutters.

Improper Clothing Used

Though it may sound odd, wearing the proper clothing is important. Wearing baggy pants could be dangerous. You wouldn’t want your pants to get caught on something causing you to fall. Using the right kind of gloves is also a good idea. Keep in mind that some parts of the roof have sharp edges and some of them probably have accumulated rust so wearing gloves will reduce the possibility of getting cut. It is also smart to wear a good pair of work boots or sturdy shoes. Wearing the wrong shoes may result in slipping and falling down the roof or off of a ladder.

Allergies and Other Health Ailments

Gutters are a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Allergic reactions to mold and mildew are something to think about when cleaning out your gutters. Wearing a face mask can help prevent this from becoming a problem. If you experience vertigo or the fear of heights this too can affect your safety while up on a ladder.

As you can see there are many things to consider when cleaning out your gutters and we’ve only mentioned a few of those things. One solution to these issues is to have a professional clean out your gutters for you. Another solution, one we at Hallett think is the best, is to have gutter cover installed on your gutters. Gutter covers minimize the frequency of need to clean your gutters.