If You're Going to Do It, Be Safe!

Hey, we get it, you’re the type who likes to take care of all their own chores, and that includes cleaning your gutters.  Cleaning gutters is a necessary part of home maintenance, but it can be dangerous if you’re not careful.  When you perform any sort of work high off the ground you run the risk of serious injury.  We’d like to strongly caution you against cleaning your own gutters, but if you’re set on doing it yourself, we want to be sure you’re doing it as safely as possible.

Let’s take a look at our top four safety tips for DIY gutter cleaning.

1. Use a Ladder Stabilizer

Ladders are dangerous if they're not used properly, so it's important to make sure that yours is secure before you start cleaning your gutters.  These nifty contraptions attach to the top of your ladder and create a larger surface area that is touching the surface of your house so that your ladder stays in place.  A ladder stabilizer can help prevent the ladder from sliding or tipping over while you work. If you don't have one, consider investing in one—it's a small price to pay for safety.

2. Wear the Right Gear

You should always wear protective gear when working on any home project, including gutter cleaning. That includes gloves, long sleeves, long pants, closed-toe shoes, and eye protection like goggles or sunglasses. This will protect you from falling debris as well as potential hazards like sharp edges or exposed nails on your gutters. You should also be wary while you clean out your gutter for stinging insects such as wasps and hornets.  These aggressive insects are known to go berserk when they feel their hive is being threatened.  If you notice a hive or hear loud buzzing, it’s best to steer clear until you’ve made a plan of action to deal with these nasty bugs.  It's also important to stay hydrated while working outdoors in the heat, so don't forget your water bottle!

3. Have Someone Spot You

Having someone spot you while you're on the ladder is an extremely important way to stay safe during gutter cleaning projects. Having someone else there can provide extra stability for the ladder and help alert you if something goes wrong. In the event of an emergency, your spotter can call for help if you are unable to do so yourself.  Plus, having another set of eyes can help identify areas that need attention or potential problems with your gutters that could lead to bigger issues down the road.  Never climb a ladder alone.  Always make sure you have a spotter and someone else at home to watch your back.

4. Call a professional

Unfortunately, too many homeowners underestimate the danger of climbing a ladder and doing any kind of work high off the ground.  Falls are among the most common types of injuries sustained by people attempting DIY home maintenance projects.  About 50 roofers die each year from falls, and these are trained professionals. 

If you are unaccustomed to working with a ladder, don’t have the proper safety equipment, don’t have someone to spot you, or are otherwise home alone, we strongly recommend calling a professional crew to take care of it.  Gutter maintenance is extremely important, but it is not important enough to risk your life, nor is professional gutter cleaning prohibitively expensive to have done.

Keeping yourself safe while cleaning gutters is essential. Keep these tips in mind and you'll be ready for your next gutter-cleaning project without worrying about accidents or injuries. With the right gear, some extra caution, and the wisdom to know when you should leave the job up to professionals, cleaning your gutters should be a cinch.  We encourage you to give us a call if you have any questions about keeping your gutters in perfect condition. We’re always happy to help!