Gutter Cleaning MistakesNobody likes when they have to spend their weekend cleaning their gutter. It can be a very tiring job for some people and even dangerous. But cleaning your gutter is something that you have to do. You have to because if you don't you could get yourself into many troubles you don't want to go through.
First of all, you need to know what is the appropriate way to clean your gutter. The most basic thing is a ladder. Of course, you need one in which you can reach the gutter comfortably, not on your tiptoes because you can end up injured badly. When you reach the gutter, remove all debris from the gutter. Debris can be from leaves to twigs, moss or even a dead animal like a pigeon for example. Most debris is very easy to remove, but other could need a special tool to grab and remove it. When you are getting rid of the debris, place it in a garbage bag, not in a bucket or anything similar. It is easier to use a bag because after removing all debris you can just tie a knot on the bag and that's it. You don't need to touch it again after removing it from the gutter. Most of the debris that you will remove from your gutter will be biodegradable. And if you are into organic gardening, then all that biodegradable debris will be perfect for preparing compost; separate all debris into two bags so it is easier. If you don't garden, then just dispose it like any other household waste. After you have done this, check the downspouts to see that they are not being blocked. It can be very easy to unblock it, just force some water up it with a garden hose in the opening will do. If after using the garden hose, it is still blocked, then use a plumber snake but be careful, since you may fracture the downspouts. |
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Another alternative instead of the garden hose to clean your gutter is using a leaf blower. Although it is a great option, it is always better to use the garden hose. A leaf blower can become cumbersome, especially if you're on top of a ladder.
Another thing you should keep an eye out for is any kind of damage it may have. When you are cleaning the gutter check for any damage because it will make it less efficient. And try to repair the damage as soon as possible.
It's very important to consider the maintenance of your guttering system in the overall scheme of learning how to clean gutters. You should always do this and especially if you have any trees nearby. Often maintenance could save you money on the long run.
But even if you really do want to clean your gutter and now have important its maintenance is, but you really don't want to go up a ladder, you don't have to. A Gutter Sense, for example, is a great tool that will let you clean your gutter from the ground, even if you have a two-story gutter.
This kind of tool is just an extension pole with a pair of prongs that will let you grab anything that might be getting your gutter dirty. And you can manage the tool from the safety of the ground.
This is perfect for anyone who themselves as very clumsy. And it is even more ideal for older people that just can't climb a ladder anymore. And this kind of tools re very lightweight, so anyone can lift it and have a clean gutter.
Although cleaning a gutter might sound very simple, with or without a special tool, there are plenty of people that make common mistakes while they clean their gutters. This mistakes can lead to different situations, either a poorly cleaned gutter, an injured person maybe even both.
These are some of those mistakes:
As you can see, this are very simple mistakes that can be avoided. You just need to remember them every time you clean your gutter.
Another thing you should do, is have the adequate safety equipment. This is important, not to clean the gutter efficiently but to protect yourself.
For example, a pair of work gloves. Gutters can harbor potentially harmful spores and molds. And with gloves, you will prevent contact with anything that might be harmful for you and give you some kind of illness.
A safety harness is always a good option and is never a surplus. You never know when you could potentially get into an accident and with a safety harness, you will always be sure that you will be safe.
Gutter cleaning is very important, and unfortunately, a lot of people don't have a clean gutter as one of their priorities. A gutter should be clean and maintained at least twice a year. That is really not much to ask and it gives you a lot in return.
Another thing you should keep an eye out for is any kind of damage it may have. When you are cleaning the gutter check for any damage because it will make it less efficient. And try to repair the damage as soon as possible.
It's very important to consider the maintenance of your guttering system in the overall scheme of learning how to clean gutters. You should always do this and especially if you have any trees nearby. Often maintenance could save you money on the long run.
But even if you really do want to clean your gutter and now have important its maintenance is, but you really don't want to go up a ladder, you don't have to. A Gutter Sense, for example, is a great tool that will let you clean your gutter from the ground, even if you have a two-story gutter.
This kind of tool is just an extension pole with a pair of prongs that will let you grab anything that might be getting your gutter dirty. And you can manage the tool from the safety of the ground.
This is perfect for anyone who themselves as very clumsy. And it is even more ideal for older people that just can't climb a ladder anymore. And this kind of tools re very lightweight, so anyone can lift it and have a clean gutter.
Although cleaning a gutter might sound very simple, with or without a special tool, there are plenty of people that make common mistakes while they clean their gutters. This mistakes can lead to different situations, either a poorly cleaned gutter, an injured person maybe even both.
These are some of those mistakes:
- Cleaning on the roof: We have all seen at least one person sprawled on top of a roof trying to clean their gutter while we were driving by. This is an extremely dangerous thing to do and it is not an easier way to clean the gutter. Always use a ladder.
- Cleaning it alone: Many people when they clean their gutter don't ask anybody for help and do it all on their own. Whenever you are working on a ladder at a height that is 20' or more, you should always ask someone to steady the ladder and just be nearby while you are cleaning in case something happens.
- Not knowing what to look for: Like I already said before, whenever you clean your gutter you should always look for any kind of damage that the gutter might have, like cracks, leaks or any signs that the system is broken. If you don't and in fact your gutter system is damaged, you will have a lot of troubles during heavy rain and melting snow.
As you can see, this are very simple mistakes that can be avoided. You just need to remember them every time you clean your gutter.
Another thing you should do, is have the adequate safety equipment. This is important, not to clean the gutter efficiently but to protect yourself.
For example, a pair of work gloves. Gutters can harbor potentially harmful spores and molds. And with gloves, you will prevent contact with anything that might be harmful for you and give you some kind of illness.
A safety harness is always a good option and is never a surplus. You never know when you could potentially get into an accident and with a safety harness, you will always be sure that you will be safe.
Gutter cleaning is very important, and unfortunately, a lot of people don't have a clean gutter as one of their priorities. A gutter should be clean and maintained at least twice a year. That is really not much to ask and it gives you a lot in return.