Life-Saving Gutter Maintenance Tips

All Aluminum Gutters
531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

Cleaning out your gutters can be a dangerous endeavor, especially if your home is more than one story high. As you prepare to check your gutters off your spring cleaning checklist, keep these safety tips in mind to avoid injury.

Tip #1: Choose the right ladder. Select a ladder with a sturdy footing and a strong shelf to hold your debris bucket and other maintenance tools. Generally, a four legged step ladder is best for a one-story home and a metal or fiberglass extension ladder is best for homes that are taller.

Tip #2: Set up safely. Once you’ve chosen your ladder, make sure that it’s set up correctly. All screws and bolts should be firmly in place, and hinges should be fully extended and locked. It’s also a good idea to set up a pulley system for tools or wear a toolbelt so you can climb hands-free.

Tip #3: Stay protected. Wear thick gloves to protect your hands from bacteria and prevent cuts. Opt for suede over rubber or leather, as they’re easier to maneuver in and are less likely to puncture. Remember that your eyes must be protected from stray dirt and debris as well.

Tip #4: Wear the right shoes. Ladders can be slippery, especially when covered in gunk from your gutters. Consider wearing rubber-soled shoes to enhance your grip on each rung.

Tip #5: Look up. It’s easy to zone in while cleaning, but make sure you’re mindful of any power lines up above. You don’t want to disrupt the electricity to your home! While you’re up there, take a look at those power lines and inspect them for any damage or wear and tear. If you’re concerned, give your electrician a call right away for repairs.

While these tips can certainly help keep your safe, the best way to clean and repair your gutters without injury is by leaving it to a trained professional. Luckily, the gutter experts at All Aluminum Gutters are always just a phone call away!

Looking to learn more about the gutter cleaning and gutter repair services we offer to Long Island, Queens, Westchester and the Bronx? Visit our website or give us a call at 631-816-2498.

Gutter Cleaning Safety

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

Though extremely necessary, gutter cleaning can also be a very dangerous task. Without the proper tools and preparation, you may end up doing more harm to yourself, than good to your home. Before you get out there on the ladder, take a look at these gutter cleaning safety tips that we feel are essential to keep in mind when doing DIY gutter maintenance:

1. Ladder Height: It is important to use the proper sized ladder when doing any type of home maintenance to the face of your home. Generally, if you are doing maintenance on a one-story home, your ladder should be about 11 feet tall.

2. Hand Protection: Make sure to wear work gloves when digging out the debris from your gutters. Wearing gloves protects you from cuts and scrapes caused by sharp debris or torn gutters. Your gutters also have the potential to host harmful mold and bacteria, so it’s important that you eliminate hand-to-hand contact to prevent health issues.

3. Fall-Proof Plan: Don’t try to juggle all of your gutter cleaning tools up the ladder and risk taking a fall. Instead, put your tools in a bucket and tie the rope to the top of the ladder so you can hoist your tools up once you reach the top.

4. Strap In: Depending on the roof pitch, sometimes it makes more sense to clean gutters from the roof rather than on a ladder. If you choose this method, make sure to strap into a harness and attach it to the roof to prevent an accidental fall.

5. Helping Hand: It’s always a good idea to enlist help whenever available for any home maintenance task. A helper can be there to pass tools, hold the ladder, and assist in any other way you may need. If a helper isn’t available make a neighbor or family member aware that you’ll be cleaning your gutters so that someone is around to check-in and make sure you’re safe and sound!

DIY gutter cleaning isn’t for everyone, which is why we provide quality gutter cleaning services to Long Island, Queens, Westchester and the surrounding areas all year-round. If you’re looking for a convenient and efficient gutter cleaning experience, call All Aluminum Gutters at 631-816-2498 today! We offer a wide selection of cleaning and repair services to suit all of your gutter needs.