Issue Date: March 22, 2009
HouseSmart |
LOU MANFREDINI |
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Fix those gutters for good
Clearing gutters doesn't have to be a risky proposition.
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Cleaning out your gutters has to rank up there with getting a tooth pulled. And it's dangerous: Each year, 130,000 people receive treatment for injuries resulting from ladder accidents.
To protect yourself, check the safety sticker on the side of your ladder to make sure it can hold the necessary weight. Before working, tie the ladder to the gutter with rope or a strap, and have someone at the base of the ladder to keep it steady. Once you're up there, you can either manually scoop the leaves out of the gutter or use an electric leaf blower.
A great way to avoid this annoying chore in the future is to install a leaf-blocking system. There are several on the market. Some cost thousands of dollars; some require professional installation. But you also can find do-it-yourself products. For instance, GutterStuff (gutterstuff.com) is a polyether foam filter that fits inside ordinary gutters.
Now if we could only do something about that tooth!
Want to know more about gutter toppers? Click here.
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