subject: How To Safely Clean Your Roof Gutters [print this page] Fall time is here and reminders are everywhere about how to safely clean roof gutters, mostly promoted by merchants wanting to sell their services. Well, why not do the job yourself and save a load of money? It really is not that difficult if you follow the hints in this article.
Cleaning out the guttering is a chore yes, but it must be done once or twice a year so why not do as the famous Nike slogan suggests, just do it!
Now for preparation: First up, make sure, in the interests of safety to place your ladders on a flat firm surface. Also, NEVER use the top step of the ladder. Sounds obvious, but many accidents occur in this nation every year because that advice is ignored!
In regard to preparation, be careful to base your ladders on a firm flat surface and block the base. Also, never, ever, stand atop the highest rung. Many accidents are caused by this practice.
Carrying out this simple procedure will get you organised, keep everything you need in one easily accessible place and keep you secure from getting stabbed by having the trowel in your pocket, in the event of a fall from your ladder. The use of the small grouting trowel will make the clearing out work a whole lot easier. Just bag it up as you go along. Better than making yourself more work by dropping it to the yard.
At this point you may note hard to shift, caked on grime along the guttering. To remove this may require washing through using a high-pressure garden hose. Be careful with safety using the hose. Not too much pressure otherwise you could jolt back. Now, there are several kits on the market to help you do the job of guttering cleaning, but they are costly. You could of course engage a roofer, but if money is an object go DIY and save.
Now, with hose in hand, flush through the ridges and on down into the downpipe. Be certain that it flows through unhindered. If you have any standing water, just alter the gutter angle to let it out. Use a plumbers snake tool to un-block the opening if you have access to one. At points where you see something needs attention such as cracks in the pipe or what have you, use colored tape to mark the spots.
You may be wishing you had not even started at this point. Maybe the back aches, and thoughts of getting a roofer in appeals. You rather like the thought of relaxing with a hot tea and watching TV with your feet up? Well, you can do that of course. There are plenty of people willing to take your cash. However, just think, you are nearly done and you are saving oodles of money, because now YOU know how to safely clean roof gutters!
