It’s fall and the leaves are likely accumulating in your home’s gutters. Before it becomes a problem, remove debris from the guttering channels. For most homeowners, this is a simple DIY project, though you can hire a professional to do it for you. Here are some tips to clean your gutters effectively and safely and keep your home in good condition.
Clean Your Gutters with Personal Safety in Mind
Almost every home has gutters to clean, and whether that involves hiring someone or doing it yourself is up to you. If you decide to tackle the project on your own, make sure you’re able to do the work safely. Ladder injuries happen every year and can be serious. Similarly, falls from the roof are also incredibly dangerous. If you don’t have the proper equipment to clean the gutters safely, hire a company to do it instead.
Ladder Safety 101
To clean your gutters, you’ll need to practice safety while using a ladder. Never set the ladder on uneven ground. Ask a friend or family member to be a spotter and hold the ladder to prevent it from wobbling. Make sure that the feet of the ladder aren’t sinking into the ground before you start to climb. Keep three points of your body in contact with the ladder at all times.
Clean Your Gutters Quickly and Efficiently
With your ladder safely positioned, begin scooping the leaves and debris out of the gutters. Be patient and work one area at a time before coming down to reposition the ladder. Take care not to overreach as you clean. Drop the debris carefully onto a tarp you’ve placed below.
To protect your hands, wear a high-quality pair of garden gloves. You can also use a trowel to clean your gutters or, to make it really easy, buy a specialized wand for your pressure washer that will allow you to work from the ground without having to use a ladder at all.
Keep the Gutters Free of Leaves
Cleaning gutters is part of life as a homeowner. There are options you can add to keep the gutters free of debris. Have screens installed on the gutters to block leaves and twigs from becoming a problem in the first place.
Clogged gutters can damage the roofing and siding of your home, potentially even leading to water intrusion that could cause mold and other issues. Making sure water can flow freely through the gutters is a basic home maintenance task that will help you avoid unnecessary repair expenses in the future.
DJR Home Inspections provides inspection services in central and southern New Jersey. If you’re buying or selling a home, contact us to schedule an appointment.