Why Gutter Cleaning Can Be Dangerous
Gutter cleaning - like it or not, it's an important part of taking care of your home. Without cleaning, your gutters won't be able to do their job of protecting your home from water damage. With that in mind, the task of cleaning them shouldn't be taken lightly. There are a lot of risks involved, some obvious, others less so. Here are some major risks to consider when thinking of cleaning your gutters.
Falls
This is one of the most well-publicized dangers of gutter cleaning, and it's no joke. Thousands of people each year are critically injured or killed by falls while cleaning gutters or doing other similar tasks from ladders. There's a lot of factors that could lead to a fall- faulty equipment, unstable ground, a misstep, vertigo. It's important to ensure your equipment is in good shape, have a steady base, and have another person with you who can hand you tools and hold the ladder.
Electrocution
Be careful. Power lines can run very close to the top of your house, and if you're up there cleaning gutters, you may end up working near one. By accidentally coming into contact with one, you could electrocute yourself very badly. Please approach your cleaning with caution. Check for any loose electrical wiring first and check the location of power lines adjacent to your roof before you start working.
Vermin And Diseases
The dark and humid pile of leaves and branches in your gutters are ideal places for vermin, insects, and birds to hide, and are also a major breeding ground for dangerous bacteria and fungi. Potential bites or stings from animals are a concern when cleaning that mess out, but even if there aren't any animals there, they may leave behind their feces. That, as well as other bacteria and mold up there, can make you very sick if you expose yourself to them.
Protect yourself- if you're going to clean your gutters, make sure you wear thick work gloves to protect your hands. Wearing eye gear and a ventilator is also advised in case there are mold spores or other toxic substances up there.
As you can tell, gutter cleaning is no small task. If you're planning on cleaning your gutters, take precautions. Dress appropriately in the right gear for the job, never work alone, make sure you're practicing good ladder discipline, and plan out your cleaning ahead of time.
It's always a good idea to hire a professional, too- not just for gutter cleaning but for other jobs involving a climb up to the top of your house, such as roof cleaning or window cleaning. A professional team like ours has premium equipment and extensive training. We know how to approach these difficult jobs in the safest and most effective ways possible.
Gutter cleaning, roof care, window cleaning- no matter what you need, TWC Window Cleaning is always ready to help you care for your property safely!
