Without gutters, your roof can get flooded with rainwater, which eventually damages your house foundations.
Season after season, your gutters become clogged with leaves, dust, and any other objects that might get accidentally clogged in the guttering, which affects the way the guttering works.
As a result, your gutters will no longer be able to channel the water away from your house and can cause the water to accumulate to damage the foundations.
Nevertheless, you should be careful while cleaning the gutters.
In this article, we’ll explain how to use a ladder without damaging gutters, so keep reading to learn more about this topic.
Why Should You Unclog the Gutter?
We can all accidentally ignore our gutters, but we don’t want to pay the price. So here are some reasons why you should clean the gutters.
- You should cleanse the guttering and downspouts because the accumulated leaves will push the water to cause internal and external damage.
- The water can pool near your house flooding your basement or garage and damaging any items, tools, or equipment you’re keeping there.
- With nowhere to go, the accumulated water can cause foundation cracks, which take much time and money to repair.
- Ignored gutters can cause an overflow of water, which damages your garden and landscape.
- Neglected and clogged gutters present the perfect environment for pests and rodents. These pests will infest your house and can harm your pets and your family.
- The clogged gutters can eventually break, causing damage to your roofing.
- Unclean gutters will lead to the formation of ice dams. The water can gather under the shingles, eventually causing the gutters to detach from the roof.
- Without proper cleaning, your gutters won’t last as long as they should due to the risk of corrosion and rust.
Can you Lean Ladder Against Gutter?
The short answer to this question is: no.
Leaning a ladder against the gutters can be extremely dangerous.
The gutters’ structure isn’t that strong, and when you lean the ladder against the gutter and add your weight, they won’t be able to take the strain. This will eventually damage the gutters, and the ladder won’t stay stable.
Improper use of the ladder while cleaning the guttering will scratch the gutters. It even might bend them.
If you’re not careful, they might be severely damaged and might even detach from the roofing system.
Your ladder might also slip or move to the side.
As a result, you’ll fall, and you’ll have to fix the damaged gutters. The risk is higher if the gutters are old and not properly secured.
It’s best to find a sturdy point to rest the ladder in order to unclog the guttering properly before the rainy season. Leaning the ladder against a wall without touching the guttering will be the best call.
How Tall of a Ladder to Clean Gutters?
Using a ladder to clean guttering is an essential step in winterizing your home because blocked gutters can do a lot of harm to your home.
This is why you must choose the right ladder to be able to reach the gutters.
There are some things that you should keep in mind when you’re thinking about the ladder’s height.
- The total height of the ladder is the full length of the ladder when it’s fully extended.
- The platform height is the height at which you stand safely from the ground.
- The working height is the maximum height you can reach when using the ladder safely without overstretching your arms.
Single-Story Building
To reach the gutters of a single-story building, you need the ladder to be at least 15 to 17 feet long.
A single floor’s height is usually 11 feet. This refers to the distance between the ground and the roof.
With the ladder leaned against the building, you need some extra height so you’re not stretching your arms up high while cleaning the guttering. This will also grant you a good view, so you can accomplish the job safely.
Two-Story Building
The distance between the ground and the roof of a double-story building is around 15.7 feet. So, you should get a longer ladder as it will lose some of its height with the inclination.
The ladder needs to be between 19 and 22 feet long for a two-story building. You should also make sure that it’s sturdy enough to withstand your weight for maximum safety.
How to Use a Ladder Without Damaging Gutters
The purpose of the roof is to protect your house from water damage. If water gets into the attic, it will eventually damage the house’s foundation.
You should be careful while positioning the ladder without damaging gutters. Here are some factors to take into consideration.
Pick the Right Ladder
Investing in a good ladder is the beginning.
Make sure that you’re buying a sturdy ladder to withstand your weight, and it should be of an appropriate height.
Ladders come in different ratings to signify their maximum weight limit. Most common lightweight ladders are rated to withstand a maximum weight of 200 pounds.
Type 2 ladders are rated to withstand 225 pounds, while type 1 commercial ladders are rated to withstand a maximum weight of 250 pounds.
You can also get an industrial ladder to withstand more weight.
Type 1A industrial ladder can withstand a maximum weight of 300 pounds, while a type 1AA industrial ladder will withstand a maximum weight of 375 pounds.
Proper Positioning
Improper positioning of the ladder while cleaning the gutters can make you uncomfortable while you’re cleaning them.
Use a ladder leveler to keep the ladder stable, especially if the ground isn’t level.
Leaning against the gutters can break them or damage the foundations of your house. So, you should lean the ladder against the wall.
Test the ladder to see if it’s the proper working height, so you can start cleaning the gutters.
Use the Right Accessories
Using a ladder standoff will allow you to use the ladder safely to unclog the gutters.
This is a piece of accessory with wide tubular arms and rubber pads that attach to the walls of the house, so you don’t lean against the gutters.
You can also use a guard. This is a piece of accessory that keeps the ladder stable and prevents it from moving sideways, thus damaging the guttering.
It prevents the guttering from getting scratched or bent while you’re cleaning the debris.
Keep Tools Safe
Your tools falling into the gutter can cause severe damage.
This is why you should make sure that they’re easy to access and won’t accidentally fall into the gutters. Wearing a tool belt while cleaning the gutters will keep the tools within reach and won’t damage your guttering.
Be Careful
If you have to step onto the roof, make sure that you don’t step on the gutters. You might accidentally break them or cause them to detach from the roofing system.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning the gutters is necessary because clogged gutters can lead to water damage.
However, leaning the ladder against the gutters can permanently damage them. Instead, you should lean the ladder against a wall and use a ladder standoff to be able to remove all the debris safely.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and over 10 years of experience working in IT. As a homeowner, I love working on projects around the house, and as a father, I love investigating various ways to keep my family safe (whether or not this involves tech). I’ve also played guitar for almost 20 years and love writing music, although it’s hard to find the time these days.