It’s that time of year when you should start to prepare your home for snow, sleet, and colder weather. One of the best ways to do that is by cleaning the debris out of your gutters. Here are some tips for how to clean gutters so that you can complete this task safely and effectively.

Get Your Gear Together

The first step to take when cleaning your gutters is to gather all the protective gear you will need to wear. This includes thick work gloves, goggles, a bandana for your nose and mouth, slip-proof shoes, and long sleeves. The debris that gutters collect often contains bacteria and nasty sludge from animal droppings and decomposed leaves. You don’t want to get this on your skin or in your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Use a Sturdy Ladder

You’ll need a ladder to reach your gutters. Homeowners should use caution when climbing on a ladder. It’s a good idea to have someone else at home while you are working on a ladder, preferably spotting you. Place the ladder on level, solid terrain so that it won’t sink into the ground and tip over. Make sure your extension ladder locks properly before climbing on it. Add a ladder stabilizer bar to make your ladder even safer.

How to Clean Gutters with Your Hands

Once you have your gear and ladder, you are ready to clean your gutters by hand. You can also purchase a gutter scoop that fits the width of the gutters to make this job easier. Move around the perimeter of the home, scooping out the gutters. Don’t reach too far away from where you are standing on the ladder. Climb down the ladder, move it over, and climb back up.

Collect the Debris

Instead of throwing the debris down onto your lawn, it is better to collect it as you’re cleaning. Hook a bucket to the top of the ladder or lay a tarp down on the ground. This will keep your yard looking nice after the job is completed.

How to Clean Gutters Using Other Tools

Other tools that you can use to clean your gutters include a garden hose, a power washer, a wet/dry vacuum, and a leaf blower. You can find attachments for these items that will allow you to reach the gutters from the ground.

You can also call a professional to come in and do the job for you. Clean gutters will protect your home from water damage all winter long.

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