Delaware Gutter Cleaning
The gutters on your New Castle county home need to be cleaned on a regular basis to avoid becoming full of debris but there are several common dangers that can occur when it comes to cleaning your own gutters. Most Delaware homeowners don’t spend every day on a ladder, the way a Pro does. Before cleaning your own gutters, we want to ensure you do so correctly to avoid any injuries in the process. According to the World Health Organization, the United States leads the world in ladder deaths. Each year, more than 164,000 emergency room treat injuries sustained from ladder falls and tragically 300 deaths in the U.S. occur from falling off a ladder.
Unstable Ladders
When your home sits on even ground it ca be tricky to position your ladder correctly. Making the ladder risky to climb up. In addition, the ladder could bump up against your roof or gutters, causing damages to the surface, you also want to avoid leaning your ladder directly against the gutter as you do not want to cause issues to the gutters such as further clogs. When using a ladder, you want to place the base of your ladder one foot away from your home for every 4 feet of height, so the ladder gently rests against your homes exterior. This is known as the 4 to 1 rule.
Ladder Maintenance
Delaware homeowners that only use a ladder once in a blue moon often forget that ladders require maintenance. Ladders must be taken care of, so they do not break or cause hazards. Before cleaning your gutters make sure your ladder is free from oil, grease, and other slippery substances by wiping it off. Never use a ladder that has a missing or broken rung, step, side rail or another defect. Make sure not to drop your ladder because a heavy blow can cause damages to the ladder so ALWAYS insect your ladder before gutter cleaning.
Watch Out for Electrical Wires
Electrical wires can be a big hazard for those trying to clean gutters. Coming in contact with electrical wires can be deadly. Whether the ladder is accidentally placed on a wire, or the wires are grabbed while stumbling, electrical wires are dangerous when trying to clean gutters.
Wearing the Wrong Clothing
Cleaning gutters is a dirty job so you may not think much about what to wear when scaling up a ladder but before you clean your gutters you should think about your clothing options. Small projections on the ladder can cause clothing to get stuck, causing an unstable or dangerous situation for the person climbing. You also want to make sure to wear slip resistant shoes while on ladders and roof.
Problems with Vertigo or Dizziness
It’s not the best time to learn you are afraid of heights or you have vertigo when you are on the top of a ladder trying to clean your gutters. You may discover that you are too nervous to do the work, or you are so dizzy that it causes you to lose your balance.
As you get older, it can become even more difficult to clean your gutters, leaving you at risk for a fall. Avoid getting injured while cleaning your gutters because of:
- Issues with your own mobility.
- Lack of experience climbing a ladder.
- Fear of heights or vertigo.
- Uneven ground and a poorly maintained ladder.
If you would rather forgo the dirty work and dangers of cleaning your gutters, let the professionals at EvenFlow services take care of your gutters. Our team has been cleaning gutters for over 20 years across the New Castle county area and will ensure your gutter system is clean and effectively running year around. For a fast and friendly gutter cleaning quote give us a call at 302-266-0332
