Toolin' Around tackles gutters

Now is a good time to get our minds in the gutter: Home gutters, that is.

With all the snow and thaw that we’ve had this winter, your home gutters might just be full up to the rim right now, especially if you weren’t able to take a final swipe at them in late fall.

Cleaning gutters does not seem a difficult job, but there are a surprising number of factors that put this project at a 7 on the Toolin’ Around difficulty scale, and an 8 on the risk scale.

Being high up on ladders and roofs in cold and soggy weather is nothing to take lightly.

But, if you are careful and take the time to do the job correctly, properly cleaned gutters can leave a homeowner satisfied that his or her house is safe from potentially harmful water damage.

For advice on gutter cleaning, Toolin’ Around talked with professional gutter cleaner Jim Forstell of Manorville-based J&S Gutter Cleaning, who has been serving the East End for 14 years.

Having taken a few spills off roofs and ladders, Mr. Forstell knows firsthand how dangerous gutter cleaning can be. While he has survived his falls with relatively minor injuries, the experienced handyman said the tumbles left him with a sense of how important it is to take time with each job.

He added that sometimes it is safer to venture onto the roof, rather than staying on the ladder. Mr. Forstell noted that trying to set up a ladder over bushes or other obstacles could place a ladder in a precarious position that might cause it to slip.

Anyone who is determined to stay on a ladder during a gutter-cleaning project should take the following advice, according to Mr. Forstell.

“If you’re trying to save time by leaning out too far on a ladder, you’re going to find yourself holding onto a gutter, which isn’t going to hold you very well,” he said. “It’s better to take the time to move the ladder than overextend yourself.”

Mr. Forstell said that it is vital to make certain that a ladder is on sound footing before climbing up it. He noted that hidden problems—such as an unseen patch of soft ground— could have a ladder and its occupant tipping over.

“What people don’t realize is that it isn’t until you’re at the top of the ladder that problems occur,” he said. “Although the ladder might feel secure when you set it up, it isn’t until your weight is at the top of the ladder that it can slip on the ground.”

Mr. Forstell noted that driveways or sidewalks on wet, cold days can be a first-rate hazard to someone on a ladder. That’s why it is vital to make certain that the footing of the ladder is on a dry, hard surface. It’s even better if someone can hold the bottom of the ladder for those venturing up the rungs.

People who venture onto roofs should also watch out for patches of moss, he warned. Even the smallest patch of moss can trip up the soundest of footing. Especially since moss, in itself is slippery, but can be even worse when wet, according to Mr. Forstell. It may even come dislodged from the roof when stepped on because of a shallow root system.

“Certain colors and shades of mosses are more slippery than others and of course you add moisture, it doesn’t have to be rain, it can be morning dew, it makes it like a sheet of ice,” Mr. Forstell said. “You have to be careful. Good footwear is important. Wear tennis shoes rather than boots, they provide more traction.”

Moss can also cause severe moisture damage to a roof because of its water-retention capability. It’s best to remove moss, as well as black and green algae, which often forms in cracks between roof shingles, especially on the north face of a roof that is away from sunlight and stays wetter longer.

There are moss-killing products on the market, and some people use bleach, but harsh chemicals can add to the deterioration of roof shingles. Toolin’ Around advises using a standard bristle scrub brush on a pole to tear the moss away. Again, moss has a shallow root system and rips up easily. Be sure not to brush upward on the roof as the bond between shingle layers is very tenuous.

Once the moss is removed, inspect the areas treated to ensure that the colored ceramic granules on the shingles are still in place. If the granules are gone and the interior fiberglass mat of the shingle is visible, the roof may already be extremely damaged.

Mr. Forstell also said it’s a good idea to look out for patches of leaves and even worse—acorns—on rooftops, which is akin to stepping on a marble. He also advises keeping an eye open for wasp nests as well, which can be hidden beneath soffits and gutters.

“They tend to make a nest where the shingle overhangs the gutter,” Mr. Forstell said. “So, unfortunately you don’t see them until your hand comes close to or in contact with the hive.”

As always, there are gadgets on the market that claim to make gutter cleaning easier. Mr. Forstell said he has tried several of them but that he has found a good pair of gloves and elbow grease are the best for removing leaves and debris from a gutter. He also warned people with expensive gutter guards not to assume that their gutters need not be cleaned.

Mr. Forstell said that gutter guards should be considered preventative maintenance. He pointed out that other debris, such as granules from shingles, could still build up in a gutter.

“If there’s a way for water to get in, there’s a way for debris to get in,” Mr. Forstell said. “Certain gutter guards are also prone to birds making nests in them. You can’t just ignore your gutters because you have one of these systems.”

Mostly, Mr. Forstell advises not waiting until gutters are overflowing with water to begin cleaning them. He noted that homes surrounded by trees might have to have gutters cleaned on a weekly basis when the fall comes.

“Leaves don’t just fall all at once,” Mr. Forstell said. “They drop over the course of a month, a month and a half, depending on the type of tree.”

He warned that clogged gutters can also form ice on cold days. The expanding ice can not only deform the gutter, but can also pull it away from its shoring against the house.

“People want to wait until all the leaves are done dropping, but if we get a crazy storm, with a lot of rain, and I get a call from someone ‘Oh my god, Jim, the water’s rushing in, you have to come now!’ I have to tell them ‘its raining an inch an hour, I can’t come now, it’s not safe.”

Mr. Forstell and Toolin’ Around agree that safety is key to gutter cleaning. So, the items needed for this project are more about taking time to properly set up a ladder, moving it periodically rather than stretching out for another handful of debris and not placing the ladder in precarious positions.

Also good, tight footwear with thick treads on the soles, plus a pair of sturdy gloves—preferably work leather, which can protect hands from sharp twigs and barbs. A decent pair of work gloves can be purchased for roughly $10 at any department or hardware store.

Above all, this project needs time. Don’t rush. And keep an eye open for potential hazards, such as moss, acorns and hidden wasp nests. A clean gutter is important for home safety but is not more important than personal safety. As always, when in doubt, hire a professional.