Gutter clean out...

[Bigs]

Way, way off topic from motorcycling, but thought I would give it a posting. I need my gutters cleaned out. Live in a three story townhouse, middle unit, so I only have to take care of the front and back gutters and their downspouts. Width of unit is about 25-30 feet, height about 40 feet. Now, if it was me, I would do it myself, but wrangling a ladder that big is impossible without help. And my neighbors, well, they are not the DIY kinda people. Friends, well, we are new to Houston. So, I started getting estimates from roofers. Lowest so far is $500. Anyone else ever have to clean out three story gutters?

[Clint]

Ugh. I'm a carpenter, and I'm used to climbing trusses that sway in the breeze. 40 feet, though....

Look into renting a lift. I mean the big kind. You could probably get one for $100 for a few hours. Do the whole place and make a few bucks in the process.

[ranger04]

Ill have to agree with clint-I used to install windows on new homes-some of them three and four stories up and fairly large, so I know what its like to wrangle with them big ol ladders as well and sometimes its not fun.
I would do as suggested and look into an outdoor lift, probably best to get and articulating lift (I think thats what they are called), its pretty much what is in the picture but has 4 wheels on it and you can drive it around.

Ok-got a pic


or something like this might work


I think leppo has them for about $250 for the day
Call local rental shop and see what they gots

[Davecm203]

You could go to Home Depot and get some of the Hispanics hanging around there to do it for you. Especially if you are adverse to heights like I am.

[inspiron]

Unless you are experienced working at that height (carpenter, window cleaner, chimney sweep, or trained fire fighter), don't even think about using a ladder. At that height, we would have at least 3 people involved, and I would be secured to the ladder with a safety belt and carabiner. You also need to know how to climb a latter of that height - you need to climb it "asynchronously" - if you aren't careful, the latter can begin to resonate and actually throw you off. (Gives a whole new meaning to "highsiding").

[baltimorebayside]

I used to have a townhouse and I lived on the end unit. My roof was also very high and a ladder was out of the question. I wanted to mount a roof attic fan, so here's what I did..

I climb on my neighbors front porch roof, then placed a ladder on that next to my townhouse and climb up onto my roof. Still, getting that close to the edge is dangerous to clean gutters, but it worked for me installing my power roof vent.

dan

[inspiron]

As someone who has gone through all kinds of training, all I can say is ... make sure there is someone around to call the paramedics when you fall.