Minneapolis homeowners are getting started on spring clean-up, which includes should include gutters. As the snow melts away, you’ll find it has left behind a lot of debris in your gutters. Before you start clearing the muck out of yours, review these tips to make the job easier and safer.
Safety First
Since you’ll be high off the ground, gutter cleaning can have its share of danger. These are some good ways to be as safe as possible.
Ladder: Your ladder should be sturdy enough to hold you. Wooden ladders are pretty wobbly, though they’re easy to move, while fiberglass ladders are very sturdy, but they can be hard to haul around. A good compromise is aluminum ladders. They’re sturdy and light enough to be moved repeatedly.
Power line: If you’ll be working around a power line, examine it visually. If any insulation has worn off, call a professional instead of trying to fix it yourself. It’s a good idea to avoid using metal ladders by these lines.
Shoes: While you’re on the roof or ladder, wear rubber soled shoes. Rubber grips very well, won’t damage any surfaces, and you’ll be less likely to lose your footing.
Protective Glasses: Eye protection should be worn when you’re cleaning your downspout. That water can shoot out at a good speed and the debris in it can cause injury if it hits your eyes.
Big Debris
Before you start on the gutters, sweep the roof clean of larger items such as tree branches. If you don’t remove it at the beginning, it will end up back in the gutters after the first big rainfall. If its left up there, it can also damage the roof, causing leaks and need for repair. Once the roof is clear, clean out the larger debris from the gutters.
Hose
To finish the cleaning, spray your gutters with the hose. A pistol-grip spray attachment is a good choice for this job.
Downspout
If your downspout doesn’t unclog when you tap the end, spray water into it from the bottom to break up the clog. If that still doesn’t work, you’ll need to take it down from its brackets and find the clog that way.
If you find as you’re cleaning your gutters that what they really need is to be replaced, Windows Outfitters, Inc can install seamless gutters for you, and help you with a full-service remodel of your exterior with such other services as siding, roofing, and replacement windows and doors. For a free estimate, give us a call today – (952) 746-6661. We are a full-service MN exterior home improvement contractor.
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
