How to Clean Gutters
Cleaning the gutters isn’t a job that homeowners look forward to, but if your gutters become clogged up with debris, your home and garden could be susceptible to water damage.
When should you clean your gutters?
Ideally, you should clean your gutters twice a year. Once in spring and once in autumn.
- It’s easier to clean your gutters in dry weather
- Clean gutters under trees more frequently
- Double-check your gutters are clear before storms
Tips for cleaning your gutters:
CLEAN FROM BOTTOM TO TOP
The safest way to clean your gutters is from the ground up. Please do not attempt to clean your gutters by climbing on the roof.
DON’T OVERREACH
You might be tempted to overreach when cleaning your gutters so you don’t have to reposition your ladder. This could lead to serious injury. Always keep your waist between the rails.
USE A TROWEL OR GARDENING GLOVES
Removing a build-up of leaves and debris from your guttering can be difficult. A garden trowel or pair of gardening gloves can help you get the job done quickly.
USE A HOSE TO FLUSH YOUR GUTTER
Once all the debris has been removed, you can give your gutters a final flush with the hosepipe. Run the hose at high pressure to clear stubborn blockages.
Don’t want to clean the gutters yourself?
If you don’t fancy cleaning your own gutters, don’t worry. There are some alternatives for you to consider!
- Hire a professional
- Install gutter whiskers
- Add a mesh guard
- Use a plastic cover
What are the best ladders for cleaning gutters?
There are a few different types of ladders that you can use if you want to clean your gutters out safely. Here are some of our top picks:
You can browse our full range of ladders & step ladders that are ideal for cleaning gutters head to www.laddersukdirect.co.uk.
When it comes to choosing the right kind of ladder for a job, you might find yourself asking - is an extension ladder better than a straight ladder? It really depends on your circumstances. Let us help you find the answer!
1. How high do you need to reach?
If you're looking to complete a job at a relatively low level, a straight ladder might be the best option for you. Most of our straight ladders reach up to 5 meters, so you'll easily be able to complete first and second-storey jobs - that's why they're so popular with our domestic buyers. However, if you need to work at a height of 5 to 10 metres off the ground, an extension ladder is going to be your new best friend.
2. How much storage space do you have?
When the storage space you have available is long and narrow (for example, down the side of your garage), we'd recommend you buy a straight ladder. These fixed-length ladders have a very thin profile but cannot be collapsed, so a longer, narrow storage space is ideal. If you don't have space to store a straight ladder, our extension ladders are generally more compact and shorter in length once they're in the 'closed' position. However, they can be quite bulky compared to our straight ladders, so keep that in mind if you only have narrow storage space to work with.
3. Will you need to travel with your ladder?
If you work in a trade it's likely that you'll need to fit yourself and all of your equipment into your work van in order to travel from job to job. Our extension ladders can easily fit into the back of most vans and cars, making them ideal if you're someone who spends a lot of time on the road. Our fixed straight ladders can be a little trickier to travel with. Most people resort to attaching them to the outside of the van (eg. via a roof rack) so that they make it from job to job in one piece.
4. Do you have any special requirements?
For more complex jobs, for example, where electrics are involved, you may need a ladder made of a certain material, eg. wood or fibreglass. Our straight ladders come in wood, aluminium, steel and fibreglass. Our extension ladders come in aluminium, steel or fibreglass. We always recommend that you read the specifications of your chosen ladder carefully, that way you can guarantee that your chosen ladder is fit for purpose.
If you're still unsure whether an extension or straight ladder is right for you, why not drop us an email? Our sales team will be able to guide you in the right direction.
Shop Extension Ladders > Shop Straight Ladders >
A scaffold tower is an excellent way to work safely at height. Compared to a ladder, a scaffold tower provides you with extra space to work, plus greater stability and security.
Large scaffold towers require a bit more care than your average ladder. Here are some scaffold tower maintenance tips to help you keep your tower in good condition...
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