Sometimes what you can’t see from the ground is in bad shape. The shingles hit by a downpour let in rainwater. Termites slowly feed on the wooden beams or even on the floorboards. The dirt in the toilet tank is getting smelly every second. The chimney has lost a few stones. And the trash that clogged the pipes stays there for a while.
Do you know what else could be broken and cause problems for you? The gutters. You’re way up on the roof. If you don’t maintain them regularly, they must have collected soil, leaves, and other debris for some time. The downpipe can also be blocked. It is much worse when there is a pool of silent water mosquitos that can pose a health risk to your family. Or it is partially detached from the roof and waits for the day when gravity pulls it down and causes an accident.
Sure, cleaning the gutters can feel like a steep hill, sometimes literally because of the height. But the longer you postpone cleaning, the thicker the layer of leaves and soil will be and the worse the damage can be. If standing up there is scary, give one a call Gutter company That is experience in solving your gutter problems so you can use your time on other important tasks.
However, if you are ready to lift the ladder to your roof and solve the problem yourself, you need to make sure you do it safely and in the right way. Otherwise, you can suffer injuries from such a project, which you can keep in a hospital for days. To get you started, keep the following in mind:
Prepare your tools
It takes more than just your bare hands to remove the dirt from your gutters. You need to fill this toolbox with the right tools to clear up the mess that got stuck up there. The list includes a ladder, a metal handle bucket, a trash bag, a scooper, a garden hose, a brush, and gloves. For faster processing, get a scooper that is deeper and has a long handle so you can get more debris into each scoop.
Safety when using a ladder
Do not try to climb the roof and risk falling or damaging the roof. Use a ladderCheck that it is level, know the load limit and make sure that it is free of slippery materials. Put it on a flat and stable surface away from electrical hazards.
Dry or wet
There are two situations you may find yourself in once you reach the gutter. One is when it’s dry and the other is when it’s wet. Dry leaves, twigs, accumulated soil, and other debris can make your job quicker, but wet ones can cause you a little more trouble. Under these two circumstances, you have two options. You can either scoop the dirt and drop it on the floor, or bring a bucket, scoop the contents of the gutter and drop it into the bucket.
This stinking residue
After removing buckets or sacks of dirt from your gutters, the next thing you need to do is remove the residues, mold and rust that have accumulated on the surface of the gutter. At this point, you may be exhausted and want to finish your cleanse. But you can’t ignore it even if it seems like a little problem. In the past, it can cause you bigger problems. Take your brush and scrub away the residue until the trough is clear of anything that can clog or damage it.
Use technology
If you want to invest in advanced technology, you can buy automated machines like a robot that can do the cleaning for you. As a limitation, always check the reliability of the product. Read the reviews. Ask about the warranty for replacement, repair and maintenance. After all, it’s best to get the best value for money.
Make gutter cleaning a part of your annual maintenance. You can do this as regularly as twice a year to keep the debris from flowing out of your gutters and damaging your property. The first time it can be difficult. But in time, you’ll get the hang of it.