Dirty gutters can have a negative impact on your home and its curb appeal. You don’t really want to clean the gutters, but doing the job yourself saves money. And wherever you can save, every bit helps. However, there are risks of DIY gutter cleaning. Common dangers of cleaning the gutters yourself include falling from the ladder, coming into contact with wires, and health concerns.
Ladder not Maintained
Homeowners that only use a ladder periodically might take it for granted that when they need it to clean the gutters it’s is fine. But like any other piece of equipment in your garage or garden shed, a ladder has to be maintained. Metal ladders are prone to rust and corrosion, compromising their strength, durability, and stability. Wood ladders can split, warp, and develop wood rot, posing a hazard when in use. Check for rust spots (metal), cracks (wood), soft spots (wood rot), loose hardware (metal and wood), and broken or worn treads (metal and wood).
Ladder not Set-Up Correctly
As a general ladder safety measure is it advisable to have two people, one to hold the ladder while the other person is gutter cleaning. But whether you have a helper or not, the ladder should be set-up correctly before you climb it. Ideally, the ladder should be placed on firm, level ground. When placing it on gravel or uneven ground, dig a shallow hole in the gravel or earth and place one of the feet into the depression. Adjust the depth of the depression to make the ladder stand level.
When it must be set-up on grass see if the feet can be flipped up to reveal spikes that allow you to drive the ladder into the earth. If there are no spikes, drive stakes into the ground and then tie the ladder’s feet to the stakes.
When using a straight ladder or an extension ladder, make sure that the angle it rests against your home’s exterior is not too close or too far.
Falling from the Ladder
Many people underestimate the seriousness of falling from a ladder. Even a fall from three rungs can send someone to the hospital with a sprain, a twisted ankle, a broken wrist, or severe bruising. Accidents from ladders are mostly preventable, but 75% of the number of annual ladder falls is residential. Avoid the frequent reasons homeowners fall off ladders: not wearing skid-proof soles, overreaching instead of moving the ladder, and wrong ladder placement.
Health Concerns
If you have vertigo, are prone to dizziness, or are afraid of heights, being on a ladder and cleaning the gutters might be an accident waiting to happen.
Coming into direct contact with the gunk in the gutters could trigger asthma attacks, cause infections, or worsen underlying medical conditions.
Not Wearing the Right Clothes
The clothing you choose for gutter cleaning should be appropriate for the task. Wear slip-proof shoes, clothes that won’t snag or flap around, a good pair of work gloves, and safety goggles.
Working too Close to Power Lines
When cleaning the gutters, be aware of power lines and other types of electrical wires. If you are using a straight ladder or an extension ladder, look where you are going. Power lines can be situated closer than they appear. The other danger of working too close to power lines or electrical cables is grabbing wires after tripping or overbalancing.
