Domestic Gutter clearing - part 1
Introduction
It’s an often overlooked maintenance chore for homeowners and landlords to check and to keep house guttering & downspouts clear and free flowing. Generally people don’t give it a thought until they visually see they have a problem normally in heavy rain. The added weight on blocked guttering can often lead to failure of the guttering brackets, joints and warp plastic guttering. In the worst cases can actually fall away completely from the building. Not to mention blocked and overflowing guttering & downspouts can lead to expensive repair bills due to rainwater not being diverted away from the structure of the building.
Most people due to the inherent danger of working at roofline height using ladders to check & clear guttering and downspouts would prefer to pay someone to have their guttering maintained as is a difficult and dangerous task especially when access is an issue for instance over pitched ground floor extensions, above conservatories etc. Sadly a number of people each year get badly injured and killed attempting to clear guttering.
So as a window cleaner you have been asked by a customer can you clear and/or clean their guttering. Great you think as I can earn a bit more money. No problem I can do that I hear you say.
Now take a step back and ask yourself the following questions:
1. am I insured for gutter clearing/cleaning work not just public liability but includes property being worked upon?
2. do I have the right equipment and tools for the job especially to overcome awkward access issues?
3. can I do the job as safely as possible without putting myself at extra risk?
If you answer "no" to any of the above questions then would be wise you address them before attempting to take on any gutter clearing/cleaning work.
I've started this gutter clearing blog that some may find over the next few weeks helpful and hopefully will end up being a useful one stop resource for gutter clearing related information. Would also like members input too so don’t be shy to use the “discuss resources” button to add your comments, questions and experiences.
Written by @Smurf
Introduction
It’s an often overlooked maintenance chore for homeowners and landlords to check and to keep house guttering & downspouts clear and free flowing. Generally people don’t give it a thought until they visually see they have a problem normally in heavy rain. The added weight on blocked guttering can often lead to failure of the guttering brackets, joints and warp plastic guttering. In the worst cases can actually fall away completely from the building. Not to mention blocked and overflowing guttering & downspouts can lead to expensive repair bills due to rainwater not being diverted away from the structure of the building.
Most people due to the inherent danger of working at roofline height using ladders to check & clear guttering and downspouts would prefer to pay someone to have their guttering maintained as is a difficult and dangerous task especially when access is an issue for instance over pitched ground floor extensions, above conservatories etc. Sadly a number of people each year get badly injured and killed attempting to clear guttering.
So as a window cleaner you have been asked by a customer can you clear and/or clean their guttering. Great you think as I can earn a bit more money. No problem I can do that I hear you say.
Now take a step back and ask yourself the following questions:
1. am I insured for gutter clearing/cleaning work not just public liability but includes property being worked upon?
2. do I have the right equipment and tools for the job especially to overcome awkward access issues?
3. can I do the job as safely as possible without putting myself at extra risk?
If you answer "no" to any of the above questions then would be wise you address them before attempting to take on any gutter clearing/cleaning work.
I've started this gutter clearing blog that some may find over the next few weeks helpful and hopefully will end up being a useful one stop resource for gutter clearing related information. Would also like members input too so don’t be shy to use the “discuss resources” button to add your comments, questions and experiences.
Written by @Smurf