Safety First: Tips for Properly Using Gutter Cleaners
Keeping your gutters clear and functioning properly is an important home maintenance task. Clogged gutters can lead to water damage, wood rot, flooding issues and more. Using a professional gutter cleaning service like Pacific Northwest ProWash is the best way to make sure your gutters are properly cared for.
However, even professional gutter cleaners need to follow important safety guidelines. At Pacific Northwest ProWash, we want our customers to understand the potential risks involved and how we work to minimize dangers. Read on for some key tips about safely using gutter cleaners.
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Inspect Your Gutters
The first step Pacific Northwest ProWash technicians take is thoroughly inspecting the gutters. We look for any signs of damage or weakness. Even small holes or detached areas can pose falling hazards for our technicians when cleaning. We will point out any areas in need of repair to keep our crew safe.
Use the Right Equipment
Our professional gutter cleaners utilize top quality equipment designed specifically for the job. This includes ladders, hand tools and power tools intended for gutter cleaning work. We routinely inspect all equipment and invest in replacements when needed. Using outdated tools for an overhead job is extremely dangerous. Our crew stays safe with well-maintained industry-leading gear.
Don’t Take Unneeded Risks
Attempting dangerous leaning maneuvers is one of the most common causes of injuries with do-it-yourself gutter cleaning. Our technicians never overextend the reach of ladders or climb onto risky perches. Keeping both feet firmly planted on the ladder rungs at all times is a cardinal rule of our safety policies. We also prohibit carrying tools while climbing ladders. Multiple trips carrying lighter loads are safer.
Consider Gutter Guards
If your gutters are difficult to reach or consistently clog with debris, Pacific Northwest ProWash recommends installing gutter guards. These mesh or perforated shields attach over the gutters to block falling leaves while still allowing rainwater to enter. By keeping much of the debris out of gutters, guards can greatly reduce the need for cleaning. Less cleaning means fewer risks over time.
Stay Off Slippery Roofs
Standing on a sloped, slippery roof is very dangerous, even for professional gutter cleaners. At Pacific Northwest ProWash, we invest in special non-slip footwear and take a grounds-first approach. We use extended pressure washers, power scrub brushes and industrial vacuums whenever possible to clean gutters from the safety of ladders and ground levels. If rooftop access is occasionally required, we take extreme care regarding footing and weight distribution.
Ask About Safety Records
When comparing professional gutter cleaning services, be sure to ask about safety histories. At Pacific Northwest ProWash, we are proud to say that no employee has ever sustained a lost-time injury. We believe that shows our commitment to safety training, equipment maintenance, responsible practices and safe working environments. Don’t put your home and our crew members in peril by hiring amateur cleaners unfamiliar with risks.
Inspect Work Before Paying
As a customer, you play a role in safety as well. Never pay for gutter cleaning services until you visually spot check the finished work. Use binoculars and sight lines from windows if needed. Damage from poor cleaning attempts may not be noticeable from the ground. Dents, detached areas and incomplete debris removal can cause eventual failures. Catching issues quickly ensures any remaining risks are addressed appropriately.
Safety training, top-quality equipment, experience and responsible practices are what Pacific Northwest ProWash relies on to deliver thorough gutter cleaning while protecting our valued technicians and customers. If you have any questions about our safety record or policies, contact us today. And be sure to follow these tips for safely using professional gutter cleaners on your home. By putting safety first, we can work together to prevent accidents and property damage while keeping rainwater flowing properly within your gutter system.
FAQs
What safety training do your gutter cleaners receive?
All of our professional gutter cleaners go through extensive safety training including ladder use protocols, equipment handling, risk avoidance, and more. We also conduct regular safety refresher courses.
Do your technicians use any safety gear?
Yes, our crews utilize harnesses, helmets, gloves, goggles, slip-resistant shoes, and other protective equipment as needed for each job.
How do you safely access multi-story homes?
We use fully extended ladders with stabilizer bars at the base for reach. Technicians never overextend themselves by leaning or climbing onto unstable perches. Extendable poles allow reaching second floors from the ground when possible.
What do you do if the gutters or roof appear unsafe?
We immediately notify the homeowner of any apparent risks or damage that could jeopardize our crew during gutter cleaning. We Customers may need to approve repairs before we are able to complete cleaning.
Can your technicians service steep roofs or tall ladders safely?
With the proper harnesses and equipment, our experienced crews are fully trained for safely servicing homes with difficult access. However, extremely tall or dangerously pitched roofs may lie outside our safety capabilities.
Do you offer options like gutter guards to improve safety?
Yes! We highly recommend permanent gutter guard installation for homes requiring frequent cleaning that may endanger crews on ladders. Guards can eliminate much of the debris to minimize future hands-on cleaning.