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Safety Tips for Cleaning Your Gutters
The best seasons to schedule Middlesex County gutter cleaning are fall and spring. Since spring is right around the corner, get ready to clean the gutters with the rest of your spring cleaning. You could hire a local gutter cleaner to do the job for you and make your life easier. However, if you insist on doing it yourself, we want you to do it safely. If you’re getting ready to clean out your gutters, read about a few safety tips for a successful cleaning.
Let Others Know
If you are venturing on a ladder or onto the roof of your house, you should have someone else make sure you stay safe. If nothing else, make sure someone else knows you’re cleaning out the gutters, so they can check on you every now and again. Having someone to help is the safest option, but at least make sure someone else knows. This will also prevent the possibility of your friends and family members getting hit with a pile of wet leaves from the gutters. Make sure you have plenty of space to work and that everyone around the area is cautious.
Use a Safe Ladder
Before climbing up your ladder, make sure that it’s still a functioning ladder. Check for any loose bolts or cracks in its structure. Make sure that when you place the ladder down that any extension-hinge arms are fully extended and locked. Shake up the ladder to make sure it’s placed on an even surface. Take your time to know that your ladder will stay in place before climbing. Use a four footed ladder for a one story climb, and an extension ladder for a two story building. Try to use a metal or fiberglass ladder when possible, as wooden ladders are often wobblier and less reliable. Make sure the ladder can withstand the weight by testing it with a heavy object first.
Put on Protective Gear
When getting ready to clear out the gutters, put on your thick rubber boots, garden gloves, and goggles. Make sure you cover these essentials as you don’t know what you’ll step on, touch, or have flying at your face while on the roof. It’s a dirty task, and you want to be prepared for anything. Not only is it gross, but you could step or touch something sharp, or have an animal come at you. This work is unpredictable, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Rake the Roof First
If you’re going up to the gutters, you should also take the time to clear off your roof. If you don’t clear this first, that debris will just clog your gutters up again in a few days. The branches and debris that clutter your roof can also pose a threat to your chimney, electric, or satellites on the roof. Wash off the debris and rake off those leaves to make the rest of your gutter cleaning process easier. It will save you much more hassle in the future.
Schedule Regular Cleanings
Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, spring cleaning the gutters cannot be the only time you clean them. You want to prepare your gutters for heavy rains by cleaning them out twice a year. Clogged gutters cause more than just an unsightly roof. When they clog, they allow water to overflow and create water damage to the roof, the sides, and the base of your home. The runoff will also cause the gutters to rust, creating more problems. Just make gutter cleaning a part of your regular cleaning routines for the safety of your home.
If you’re in need of some Middlesex County gutter cleaning, contact Markey LLC today by visiting our website or calling 800-605-4470 today.