Spring is officially here and as the snow melts your spring cleaning list is likely growing. Here at Claw Roofing, we know how important it is to keep the gutters on your Calgary home clean.
Cleaning your gutters may not seem like the most exciting chore, but it is one of the most important. Did you know your gutters may accumulate up to 300lbs of debris each year? And If left clogged, your gutters can cause water damage to the interior and exterior of your home. Additionally, you should make sure your gutters are in good condition. To make this chore a little less odious, we’ve compiled some ways you can simplify cleaning your gutters and stay safe.
Dress for the Job
It’s no secret gutters hold a lot of debris and other items you’d rather not touch. Gutters are commonly full of cold and wet leaf debris, small dead animals and even animal droppings that can be ridden with germs and bacteria. With this in mind, you may want to put on a pair of heavy-duty work gloves to protect your hands and a long sleeve shirt to protect your arms.
You may also want to put on a pair of safety glasses to protect your eyes from any debris that may fly out of the gutters while spraying. If you’re standing on the roof, it’s also important to wear the right shoes. Choosing the right footwear could save your life. We recommend a boot with a rubber sole as they tend to prevent slip-and-fall accidents and will give you good traction on your roof’s shingles.
Get the Right Tools
First, you’ll want to make sure you have a gutter scoop. This will make it easier to scoop out the leafy debris and other stuff from your gutters. You can find plastic scooping tools at most hardware stores. Next, you’ll want to make sure you have something to spray out your gutters. Depending on your water pressure you can use a hose with a pistol grip spray nozzle, or you may want to rent a pressure washer.
Stay Safe on Your Ladder
Use a safe and sturdy ladder, preferably with a shelf big enough to hold a bucket. You’ll want to use this as you scoop out debris. Also, make sure your ladder’s feet work properly, you may want to use slip-resistant pads. As you clean out your gutter, don’t try to save time by overextending. Take the time to climb down, move your ladder over, and climb back up again. It’s not worth risking an injury to save a few minutes.
Stay Safe On Your Roof
If your gutter maintenance requires you to climb on your roof, remember to stay safe by taking a few precautions. Before going up onto your roof, we recommend letting someone know. Also, it may be wise to wait to go on your roof until someone else or a neighbour is home. If your roof has skylights, remember not to walk on them. If you do notice that your skylights are leaking, you may want to check out our post on leaky skylights. You will want to avoid having your back face the edge or coming within 6 feet of the edge.
We hope these tips keep you safe while cleaning your gutters this spring. Even though its an unpleasant task, keeping your gutters clean will prevent the interior and exterior of your home from water damage. And remember, if you’d rather have your roof maintenance taken care of, call us instead! Our experienced and friendly crew can help address all your gutter cleaning needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us today.
