Safety Tips for Cleaning Your Gutters

By Hubert Miles

Part of maintaining the exterior of your home means keeping your gutters clean. A lot of homeowners attempt to do this job themselves to save some money. If you do there are a few safety tips you should abide by.

1. Make sure the ladder you use is sturdy. Set it squarely on the level ground. Move away any straw, mulch, or anything that will hinder the ladder from setting firmly on the ground.

2. If you are using an extension ladder and have to lean it against the gutters, cut a small 2x4 at least as wide as the ladder and place it inside the gutter. This will give you a firm area to lean the ladder against and reduce the risk of damaging the gutter.

3. When you are on a ladder, never lean out to the left or the right of the ladder. Always keep your hips square with the ladder to maintain your balance.

4. Never stand on the top two rungs of a ladder. This is a vulnerable part of the ladder and provides little leverage if you were to lose your balance.

5. If you decide to clean the gutters from the roof, use a safety harness for protection from falling. Never try to lean out over the gutters.

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. Safety glasses are a good way to keep trash and roof granules from getting in your eyes while cleaning the gutters. This will help protect your eyes from getting scratched or irritated.

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

While cleaning your gutters is a good way to maintain the exterior of your home and it's foundation, by following these safety tips you can do it carefully. - 26221

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