Most gutters need regular cleaning — which means you’ll probably have to use a ladder to do it.
As SeamlessGuttersToday points out, approximately 222,000 people get injured every year in ladder related injuries. Therefore, it’s important to remember a few safety precautions you should always take if you choose to clean your own gutters.
First things first, never use a ladder alone. It’s just not smart. If you get stuck in a situation where you need help, it’s obviously going to be a problem if no one is there to do so. In addition, a friend can hold the ladder on the ground to help stabilize on it.
It’s also important to inspect the ladder prior to it’s use. Sometimes a ladder may seem safe cosmetically, but on a closer inspection reveal problems.
When setting the ladder up, you must also inspect the surface where it will touch. If the ground is muddy, or unstable in any way, you should not risk going up on the ladder.
As for angle, this depends on the height of the ladder. Or as SeamlessGuttersToday say:
The proper angle for setting up an extension ladder is based on how tall the ladder is; the base of the ladder from the side of your house should always be a quarter of the total height of the ladder. For instance, if your extension ladder is 12 ft. high, the base of the ladder should be 3 ft. away from the side of the house.
Also, for the sake of not damaging what you are trying to fix, do not clean the ladder against a gutter. It not only risks damage, but also your safety — some gutters have a slick coating which could destabilize it.
In the end, it’s important to put safety first when cleaning your own gutters. Or, if you don’t want to, call us and we’ll do if for you!