Gutter cleanings
- Clean the gutters at least twice a year to remove leaves especially during the Autumnal months.
- Check the connections are sealed.
- Provide rainwater gutter leaf guards to prevent blockages from occurring in the downpipe.
Vegetation
- Remove moss and Algae from roofs to prevent them blocking the gutters.
- Remove vegetation which can grow in the rainwater system.
Trim your trees
- Ensure branches are trimmed back sufficiently.
And most importantly PRIORITISE SAFETY!
If you are not calling in a professional and are attempting any gutter maintenance at home, prioritise safety!
- When to use a ladder.
Can you access the area another way such as a scaffold?
- Have you checked your ladder is safe before use?
Check for damaged or worn ladder feet, twisted, bent or dented stiles, cracked, worn, bent or loose rungs, missing or damaged tie rods, cracked or damaged welded joints, and loose rivets or damaged stays are all defects that need to be identified and can render a ladder unsuitable.
- Are you using the correct type of ladder for the task in hand?
Are you intending using a leaning ladder, a telescopic ladder, a stepladder or a combination and multi-purpose ladder. With so many ladders available it is important to select the correct ladder for the task in hand and to ensure your safety and the safety of others at all times.
- Have you sourced a safe location to secure your ladder?
Have you identified a hard standing to safely position the ladder. Have you tied the ladder to a suitable point making sure both stiles are tied?
To find out more on ladder safety click on the link below.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/ladders/when-how-to-use-ladders-safely.htm