Every autumn, as the leaves start to fall, homeowners all over the country face the same dilemma, should I get up on the roof and clean out the gutters myself or hire someone to do it for me? It’s a tough question because, on the one hand, you don’t want to spend the money to hire someone when you could just do it yourself. But on the other hand, roofs are slippery and dangerous, and gutter-cleaning is not a job for amateurs. So what’s a homeowner to do?
Is it OK to Walk on the Roof to Clean the Gutters?
The answer, of course, depends on each individual situation. If you’re comfortable with heights and you have a good ladder that you feel confident using, then cleaning your own gutters might be the way to go. However, if you’re not comfortable with heights or you don’t have a ladder that’s tall enough to reach your gutters, then hiring someone to do it for you is probably the wiser choice.
There are also some other factors to consider before making your decision. For instance, if your gutters are full of leaves and debris, they might be too heavy for you to safely lift while standing on a ladder. In this case, it’s definitely best to hire someone who has the equipment and experience necessary to safely and effectively clean out your gutters.
The Dangers of Walking on a Roof
There are several dangers that come with walking on a roof, especially if you’re not used to doing it. First of all, there’s the obvious danger of falling off. Even if you’re being careful, it’s easy to misjudge your footing or lose your balance, which could lead to a nasty fall. In addition, there’s also the possibility of damaging the roof itself.
If you’re not used to walking on roofs, you could easily damage shingles or tiles by accidentally stepping on them too hard. And finally, there’s the danger of getting injured by debris such as sticks or branches. Even if the debris is small, it can still cause serious injury if it hits you in the right (or wrong) spot.
Conclusion:
So is it safe to walk on your roof and clean out your gutters yourself? It can be, but it depends on a number of factors – including your comfort level with heights, whether or not you have a tall enough ladder, and how much debris is in your gutters. If you’re not comfortable with any of these factors, it’s probably best to hire someone who is. Otherwise, you could end up injuring yourself or causing damage to your roof.
