Avoid standing on the roof For best results in keeping gutters clean and preventing damage to the roof, it's a good idea to install screens on top of the gutters. This will allow rainwater and melted snow to enter the gutter, but will keep leaves and debris out. The third option only works in a dry environment. We don't recommend that customers walk on metal, ceramic tile, or cedar roofs, as they require special knowledge (and tools) to move safely.
If it is necessary to walk on the roof to perform gutter cleaning, it is good to wear shoes with a rubber sole. Rubber soles tend to adhere better and prevent slip and fall accidents. Roofs tend to be damp in the morning, so it's best to walk on the roof after the sun is in the sky and all the moisture has dried up. Late morning or early afternoon are the best times to walk on a roof.
Have two buckets available to make your work easier. Use a bucket for the waste you remove. The second bucket can hold your tools. Attach the buckets to the ladder for easy access.
To clean gutters by hand, you'll need a ladder, bucket, gutter shovel (or garden trowel), and heavy-duty work gloves. While some professional gutter cleaners can walk on the roof, the average homeowner shouldn't try. To reduce or avoid the undesirable chute cleaning task altogether, consider installing a screen, such as Raptor stainless steel micromesh gutter protection. According to Robert Lenney, inventor of Gutterglove and expert in gutter cleaning, having proper training in the art of gutter cleaning is key to a successful and safe cleaning experience.
A primary reason for cleaning gutters is to eliminate the possibility of water damage from rainwater runoff due to a gutter obstruction. Beating on a high ladder while trying to get leaves out of a gutter is not the safest way to clean gutters.
