Time to Clean your Gutter

November 19th, 2008

Don’t forget to clean your gutters this fall.  This could be the single most important thing you can do to maintain your roof.  Overflowing gutters allow water to penetrate under the shingles causing them to lift and promote dry rot of the plywood. Leaves and Debris put weight on the gutters and can also cause them to pull away from the house.

You have two options, hire a contractor to do the job for you, or you can clean your gutters on your own.  For your convenience, I have included a coupon from Guy Rencher- of Action Window and Gutter Cleaning. 503-407-3346. 

 

If you decide to clean the gutters yourself, choose a sturdy ladder, and place it on a firm, level base. A tall stepladder can be easier to use than an extension ladder. If you must lean an extension ladder against a gutter, protect the gutter from bending by placing a short piece of 2 by 4 inside it. Stand on the ladder with your hips between the rails, and don’t lean out over the sides. Never stand on the top two rungs.
If you’re comfortable working from the rooftop and your roof has a very low pitch, this can be easier than working from a ladder. But only do this under extremely safe conditions. Never work on the roof in wet, icy, or windy conditions. Wear non-slip shoes, and never lean over the edge or work near power lines.
When cleaning gutters, wear heavy work gloves to protect your hands since gutters often have sharp metal parts or screw points sticking out into their troughs. Also wear safety glasses or goggles.