Eavestrough Cleaning: Do it safely!

Fall and Spring eavestrough cleaning is essential for the upkeep on your home. If neglected, you could end up with water related damages: The more common damages are damaging the eavestrough or roof edge because they weigh down with ice in winter. Major damage might include foundation issues, mold and mildew, and basement flooding. The later are extremely rare but costly. 

Eavestrough cleaning seems like a simple task for do it yourselfers. However, climbing a ladder up to the edge of your roof is more dangerous than meets the eye. If done improperly, you can be seriously hurt!

Whether you do it yourself or hire an eavestrough cleaning company, here are some things you should keep in mind:

1. Never clean eavestroughs by yourself!  Any time you are using a ladder, you should always have a helper. You need someone to help hold the ladder to keep it steady. Having a partner hold the base of your ladder can prevent ladder accidents. Your helper can also assist in helping move the ladder, hand you tools or help if an emergency should arise.

2. Use proper protective equipment. One of the tools I can not emphasis enough is a QUALITY ladder and a good ladder stand off! A stand off will protect damage to the eavestrough and stabilize the top of the ladder. 

Other protective equipment are gloves to protect your hands, proper clothing, and even a harness to protect from falling. 

3. Do not use water to clean out an eavestrough! My reason for this is that once you use water it splatters everywhere! It splatters on you, on the roof, on the ladder, on the fascia, siding and windows. In my opinion, cleaning with water is a terrible mistake as it makes everything messy and slippery! Simply use your hands or use a good leaf blower. Do not do what the gentleman is doing in the picture below! He is asking for trouble!

4. Follow ladder safety tips. Always make sure the ladder has at least three points of contact and preferably four. If you use a ladder stand off, it will stabilize the ladder and prevent it from sliding at the top. Remember, NEVER over reach when on a ladder! This is very dangerous!

5. If you are hiring a company to clean your eavestroughs, make sure it is a proper and legitimate company that follows all safety precautions, has taken the training at heights course, and carries WSIB and Liability Insurance. As an FYI, just because a company says they have WSIB DOES NOT MEAN they carry the proper WSIB insurance. Many landscape companies clean eavestroughs and carry WSIB. However, they do not carry proper WSIB which allows them to climb ladders and work at heights. They must carry WSIB similar to roofing or siding companies and most DO NOT! 

6. Consider getting gutter protection which will allow you to not worry about having to clean the eavestroughs. I recommend Diamondback Gutter Covers or Alu-Rex Gutter Protection. 

At The Eavestrough Company, we are concerned about you. Whether you clean the eavestroughs yourself, or hire professionals, do it safely and do it right! If you want a quote for installation of gutter protection, please do not hesitate to contact us at 905-966-2564 or visit our website at www.theeavestroughcompany.com.