Using Caution While Cleaning Your Gutters

Maintaining and cleaning your gutters is a critical part of the exterior maintenance of your home. This is a job that you can do yourself provided you do it safely. Here are some safety tips you before starting the job.

1. Make certain that you use a sturdy ladder. Always set the ladder on level ground. If standing the ladder in a flower bed, be sure all straw or mulch is moved out of the way to allow the ladder is set firmly on the ground.

2. When using an extension ladder to reach the gutters you may need to lean the ladder against the gutters. If so, try cutting a short 2×4 and setting it inside the gutter where the ladder will be resting. By doing so, the ladder will have a firm place to rest against.

3. Once you’ve climbed the ladder, keep your hips square over the ladder to maintain your balance. You should never lean away on either side of the ladder.

4. When climbing the ladder you should not stand on the top 2 steps of the ladder. It is easy to lose your balance when standing on these two steps.

5. While standing on the roof, stand to the side of the gutter rather then leaning out over the gutter. Also, purchase or borrow a safety harness to use during the job.

6. Never try to walk on the roof during rainy, icy, or windy conditions.

7. Always wear non-slip shoes, preferably sneakers or work boots when on the ladder or walking on the roof.

8. You should wear heavy duty leather gloves to keep your hands from getting cut up on sharp metal edges and the tips of screws on the inside of the gutter.

9. Always wear protective eye wear or safety glasses to protect your eyes. Gutters will contain many small particles that could get in your eyes causing you eye damage or to lose your balance.

10. Don’t try to work close to power lines.

By following these safety tips when cleaning your gutters you’ll do it safely. Safety is the most important thing you can do when preparing to do work to your home.

Hubert Miles is a blogger for many websites and the webmaster of Lake Land and Properties. Get more information on Lake Land and Property websites.