As the saying goes: April showers
bring May flowers!

With more rain in
the springtime months of April and May, now's the perfect opportunity to get
your rain gutters in tip-top shape. As
a homeowner, you're probably wondering what the best way would be to maintain
those gutters-and I've got the answer for you!
I've compiled a handy list of tips that will help you to save money by
doing it yourself, so that you can simply enjoy the rain once it comes.

If you need any additional tips, please feel
free to email me at valerie@valeriemcconville.com! Also if you
have friends or family who are in need of real estate service or advice, I hope
you'll give them my name or have them visit my website at www.valeriemcconville.com. I'm always
happy to help!

FIVE TIPS FOR SAFELY CLEANING YOUR
RAIN GUTTERS

Maintenance means everything:
Ideally, you should clean your gutters twice per year. Maintaining clean gutters will help you to
avoid drainage problems that could potentially lead to more costly repairs.

Climb on up: Borrowing (or
investing in) a good, sturdy ladder is the key to ensuring your personal safety
and to making the task as hassle-free as possible. Make sure that the ladder is placed on a flat, steady surface,
and follow the rule of two: never stand on the top two rungs of a ladder, as it
becomes very difficult to maintain your balance.

Protect yourself: Thick, heavy
gloves are a must when performing this kind of task. Gutters may have sharp or jagged metal pieces as well as screws
or nails that may pose a danger to your hands and fingers. Want additional protection? Safety glasses are also a good idea!

Up on the roof: Santa might find
rooftops to be a walk in the park, but for the rest of us, they aren't
generally ideal perches. However, if
you have a flat roof or a roof with a low slope, you may find it easier to
accomplish the cleaning by situating yourself up top. Always use extreme caution, wear non-slip shoes, and never opt
for this choice in bad weather!

Scoop, blast and repair: Once
you're ready to start cleaning, follow a simple three-step process to get the
most out of the task. Scoop out any
debris, blast the drains clean with a high-powered hose, and repair any leaks
you may find along the way.