According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Australia experiences about 11 cyclones per year. Now, if you want to protect the integrity of your home, you need to ensure that your gutters are functional. When you regularly clean and inspect them, you can avoid problems like flooding, leaks, and even critter invasion. In the long run, you’re saving money by preventing costly issues.
However, before you get your gutters cleaned, there are some things you need to prepare. Make sure you read through the tips below to ensure a safe and effective cleaning process.
Have the Right Safety Gear
Cleaning gutters require some safety tools, including a long-sleeved shirt, thick work gloves, safety glasses, and non-slip shoes. Before even starting the cleaning process, every tool should be inspected for cracks, holes or any type of damage. Keep in mind that non-slip footwear is necessary for ensuring that you would have an adequate grip on the steps of the ladder. Meanwhile, the gloves and safety glasses will protect you from insects, dirt, small rodents, debris, and animal waste.
If the gutters are at least 10 feet high, then it is recommended to have a safety harness. Remember that accidental falls are among the most common dangers at home and in the workplace. We understand that preparing such tools can be a lot of work. However, if you hire a gutter cleaning Perth service, you won’t have to worry about these things. Cleaning professionals always bring supplies for carrying out their job efficiently.
Have a Spotter
A person should not work on the task of cleaning gutters alone. There are various safety risks involved, including sliding ladders, careless passers-by, and uneven footing. So, there should be a spotter standing nearby. This way, someone can keep the ladder steady or manage foot traffic in the area. They would also call for help in case of an accident or an emergency.
In most cases, spotters do not need to do a lot. However, they must observe what actions the primary cleaner will do. They could also hand tools to avoid several trips down the ladder.
Have a Stable Ladder
As we’ve mentioned, cleaning gutters is a risky task. So, you should have a ladder that is stable and long enough for the job. Usually, a standard four-legged ladder would suffice, especially if you’re cleaning a bungalow. However, if the house has more than one storey, then you’ll need an extension ladder.
Compared to extension ladders, four-legged ladders are more stable. So, go for the latter if you don’t need a lot of height in cleaning your gutters. However, if you need a longer ladder, you should have leg levellers and stabilisers to give your extension ladder adequate support. Levellers allow the ladder to balance on uneven ground. Meanwhile, stabilisers are like arms that allow the ladder to get additional support from the roof.
Remember to Clean Your Gutters Regularly
Whenever it rains, your gutters allow water to travel to the ideal location on the ground. Ideally, water should flow down and away from your home. If the gutters and downspouts are not functional, then water will pool around the building’s foundation. Of course, if neglected, this problem can compromise the integrity of your home.
So, it is best that you clean your gutters at least once every year. Also, this process should be done after any strong storm. Usually, a significant amount of debris gets lodged in the gutters with heavy rainfall.
Of course, you have the option to do everything on your own. However, that is usually not the cost-effective and safe solution. As you can see, you must have the right tools to ensure that the process will be done without accidents. In most cases, your best option is to hire cleaning professionals.
