the air, the advice can end with three words: hire a professional. If you’re up to the task, the job quite literally begins at the ground. Before scaling the ladder, try jumping lightly a few times on the bottom rung to make sure your footing is sturdy. It may feel funny, but falling from the top of a ladder you’ve unwittingly set up on a collapsed mole hill is no laughing matter. Once you’re on top of things, tools abound to make the job easier. Items like the Gutter Getter scoop allow you to remove debris without scratching the bottom of your gutters, which could lead to rust and other problems. The Looj gutter-cleaning robot − from the makers of the popular Roomba vacuum − practically does the work for you. Online reviews differ on whether the robot saves time, but at the very least, it allows you to climb down off the ladder and watch safely with your feet on solid ground. After the debris has been removed, use a hose to rinse the gutters toward the downspout. Once that job is complete, consider putting a strainer over the upper end of the downspout to prevent future clogs. Odds are high that in the process of cleaning the gutters, you splattered some muck on your home’s siding. A pressure washer provides the easiest way to clean mud, mold and other debris off vinyl siding. Wikihow.com offers easy tips to help avoid turning a basic job into a major headache. In basic terms, you’ll be fine as long as you spray downward at a 45-degree angle to avoid getting excess water between the sheets of siding. Also, avoid using excessively hot water, as it can cause the siding to warp. Clinton Thomas can be reached at clinton.thomas@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SJNPThomas.
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