Cleaning your gutters can be a difficult, dirty, and dangerous job, but it is extremely important to prevent water damage to the roof and walls of your home, and with the right ladder it can go significantly smoother. This article will look at some of the best types of ladders for cleaning gutters and how you can make sure you complete the job safely with your ladder.
Choosing the right ladder
Before you are ready to clean your gutters safely, the first thing you should do is select the most suitable ladder for you and your home. The type of ladder that is right for you will depend on the height you need to reach. For a single-storey bungalow, a set of stepladders could be sufficient, but for a two-storey home, an extension ladder is more likely to be needed.
It is not recommended that you try to clean the gutters of a three-storey building, this would be best left to professionals. If you speak to your window cleaner for advice, you may find that clearing the gutters is something they can help you with or offer guidance on who can do the job if they can’t.
How high is it to my gutters?
As a rough guide, on a single-storey house, the height to the gutter is around 3.3m. On a two-storey property, the height to the gutter is usually about 5.7m. This means that you will need to choose a ladder with a working height that matches the height of your gutters.
In the case of a single-storey home, you could use a 10 or 12 tread stepladder or a two-section extension ladder with an extra height of 3.95m or more. There wouldn’t be a suitable stepladder for two-storey house gutters. Instead, you should look at an extension with an additional height of about 8 metres. This accounts for the angle of the ladder and variances in two-storey property heights.
If you are unsure of your heights then you could measure a brick and one mortar strip and then count how many bricks there are to your gutters.
Combination ladders
One of the most versatile and useful ladders for cleaning gutters and doing several other household jobs is the combination ladder. These can function as both a stepladder and an extension ladder. Combination ladders from BPS Access Solutions have multiple key features that will make the task of clearing out your gutters easier and safer. Some examples of these features include an integrated stabiliser bar, steel auto locking clamps, rubber stoppers on the side of each section, and contoured feet fitted on the end of each section.
Do I need a ladder stand-off?
Quite often on homes, you will find that plastic gutters are built very close to the roof tiles. This can present challenges when it comes to cleaning debris out of your guttering. If this sounds like your roof, you might want to think about using a gutter ladder stand-off or a ladder stay. This has the benefit of giving you a better working position above the gutter without crushing it as well as making your ladder more stable.
A stand-off is tethered to your ladder and keeps it around 50cm away from the wall, giving you plenty of space to access the gutter and clean it. As it connects the wall with a wider span than your ladder, normally about 1m or so, it also increases the stability of the ladder and helps you to span over downpipes and other obstructions on the outside of your property.
Ladder stabilisers
When working on an extension ladder, it is important that you stand it on flat, firm ground. In most cases, combination ladders should come with a levelling bar for extra security, but sometimes they won’t, depending on where you get your ladder from or if it is an old ladder you have had for a long time. If this is relevant to your ladder, you could find a ladder stabiliser useful when cleaning your gutters. A quality ladder stabiliser will allow you to position your ladder on nearly any outdoor surface from gravel and wood to paving stones and more.
Using a ladder to clean your gutter do’s and don’ts
Do
- Set up your extension ladder at the right angle- the majority of modern ladders have a safety mark on the side that shows the safest angle to position the ladder.
- If you don’t have a ladder paint tray it might be useful to get one, it is good for putting tools on.
- Be careful if you are using a pressure washer to clean your gutters as they can blow you off your ladder if you are not suitably prepared and in control.
- Climb down and re-site the ladder as needed when moving along the guttering and take regular breaks.
Don’t
- Don’t overreach when on your ladder- this is one of the main reasons people fall from ladders when cleaning their gutters. As a general rule, if you are wearing a belt, try to keep your belt buckle (or belly button if you don’t have a belt) in between the stiles of the ladder as you work.
- Don’t use a ladder that is too short for the job- you should not be above the three rungs from the top of an extension ladder. On a stepladder you should have your knees below the top of the steps or the safety rail on platform steps.
- Don’t rush whilst on the ladder- you might want to get your gutters clear as quickly as possible, but it is safer to work slowly and not take any unnecessary risks.
- Don’t try to adjust or extend the ladder while you’re on it- this is extremely dangerous. If the ladder is not at the right angle or setting for your needs you should climb down and make any alterations safely from the ground.
How to use an extension ladder safely to clean your gutters
Before use
- Thoroughly inspect the ladder to make sure it is safe to use
- Check the weight limit of the ladder and make sure you aren’t going to overload it
- Ensure the side rails on the ladder aren’t damaged
- Examine the rungs to see if any of them are loose, bent, or missing
- Make sure the ladder’s feet have enough traction to stop the ladder from slipping
- Be certain that your extension ladder is tall enough for the job at hand
Setting up the extension ladder
When leaning your ladder up against a wall, follow the 1 in 4 rule: 1 unit out for every 4 units up. For example, if the distance between the ground and the point where your ladder is touching the wall is 4 metres, you will have to place the base of the ladder 1 metre away from the wall. It is important to stabilise the ladder before you want to climb it (such as by tying it up to prevent it from slipping).
If you are using an extension ladder to reach higher points than a standard ladder, make sure the extending section is securely locked in place before you go to use the ladder. It might sound obvious, but it is still worth saying that you should never try to position your ladder on a pallet, van, or any other type of movable surface.
At BPS Access Solutions we have a wide range of ladders that are ideal for cleaning gutters. Contact our friendly team if you have any questions or need any help finding the right ladder for you.
