How to Safely Clean Hard-to-Reach Gutters
Gutters play an important role in protecting your home from water damage, and they should be cleaned at least once a year. If you’re like most people, though, cleaning your gutters is not a task you look forward to. It can be difficult and dangerous to reach the gutters on your roof. To make things even more complicated, most homes have at least one line of gutter that can be incredibly hard to reach. That’s why it’s important to know how to safely clean hard-to-reach gutters.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about why it’s so important to clean your gutters regularly and how to do it safely, whether you choose to do it yourself or, if you’re not comfortable cleaning your gutters yourself, how to hire a professional like Peak Performance Gutter Protection, offering gutter cleaning and gutter guards to customers in Raleigh and surrounding communities.
Why clean your gutters?
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t look forward to spending an afternoon on a ladder, trying to reach the gutters on your roof. But it’s important to clean your gutters at least once a year, preferably twice. Leaves and other debris can build up in your gutters, causing them to clog and preventing them from doing their job properly. When this happens, water can back up and cause all sorts of problems for your home.
But how should you safely clean your gutters, especially those that are hard to reach?
There are a few different ways to safely clean hard-to-reach gutters. One option is to use an extension ladder. This can be an effective way to reach the gutters, but it’s important to use the ladder correctly. Make sure the ladder is on level ground and that it’s securely anchored before you climb up. The ladder should rest against the side of your house, rather than against the gutters or against a window. Once you’re on the ladder, be careful not to lean too far to one side and try to always keep one hand on the ladder. You should also have a person at the base of the ladder holding onto it for safety. If you need to move the ladder, step off of it completely and move it slowly and carefully so that it’s completely level in its next position.
If you’ve chosen the do-it-yourself option, you’ll want to make sure you have the right tools and safety equipment to clean your gutters. Be sure to wear goggles, a dust mask, gloves, and a long sleeve shirt while cleaning gutters. It can get very dirty! For tools, you’ll want a tool that can either scrape or scoop out debris or an air compressor to blow the debris out of the gutter. You will also need some sort of collection receptacle for the debris, like a garbage bag or bucket. Because it can be hard to hold all the items you need while on a ladder, you can also drop debris on the ground and rake it up for disposal after you’ve finished your work on the ladder.
Another option is to hire a professional gutter cleaner. This is often the best option for hard-to-reach gutters. Professional gutter cleaners have the experience and the equipment necessary to safely and effectively clean your gutters. They also have the necessary insurance to protect you in case anything goes wrong.
If you’re not comfortable climbing a ladder or hiring a professional gutter cleaner, there’s another option: gutter guards. Gutter guards are installed over your gutters and help prevent leaves and other debris from getting into them in the first place. This means you won’t have to clean your gutters as often, if at all. Gutter guards come in a variety of styles and materials, so you can choose the option that best fits your needs.
No matter which option you choose, it’s important to keep your gutters clean and in good working condition. This will help prevent water damage to your home and keep your gutters working properly for years to come.
Peak Performance Gutter Protection is the leading provider of gutter guards and gutter cleaning in Raleigh and surrounding areas. We can help you choose the best gutter guards for your home and we offer a variety of gutter cleaning services to fit your needs. Contact us today to learn more!