how a gutter guard can save your neck - blue mountain mesh · despite the dangers, gutter cleaning...

How a gutter guard can save your neck

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AVOID THE RISK OF FALLS + A Blue Mountain Mesh Information Guide + + 2013

AVOIDING THE PERILS OF DIY GUTTER CLEANING “She’ll be right, mate...”

How many times have you questioned the safety of doing a maintenance task around your home – but decided to go ahead and do it anyway? As Aussies, we are often admired for our optimistic and can-do attitudes; but this can prove very dangerous when it comes to doing some jobs around the home, especially when that job involves ladders.

Every day, Aussie homeowners are climbing ladders to do routine home maintenance jobs, like cleaning out gutters. Unfortunately, thousands of people are sustaining serious injuries from

ladder related falls. In the worst cases, people are losing their life as a result.

One of the key areas for maintenance on a property is the roof and gutter, so while it might be tempting to ignore gutter maintenance due to the risks involved, this isn’t a good option either, with many serious problems arising from leaving gutters unmaintained.

Blocked gutters can lead to flooding, causing extensive damage to roof and ceiling areas, walls and floors, and destroying precious home contents. They can also lead to pest infestation and pose a fire risk due to a build up of debris in the gutters.

+ One of the key areas for maintenance on a home is the roof and gutters.

+ Blocked gutters can lead to flooding, causing extensive damage to roof and ceiling areas, walls and floors, and destroying precious home contents.

+ Gutter cleaning can be a dangerous task; and the risk of sustaining a serious injury if you fall from a ladder is extremely high.

+ Men nearing or at retirement age are at greatest risk. Most men injured or killed after falling off a ladder were doing maintenance around the home.

+ Installing a high quality gutter protection system like Blue Mountain Mesh can reduce how often you need to clean out gutters – saving you money and possibly your life.

Photo : NEIL CHAMPION, Nov 2010

A recognised way to prevent blocked gutters, and help you minimise your risk of serious injury through a DIY gutter cleaning disaster, is to install a gutter guard. This paper will look at:

+ Why DIY gutter cleaning can be a risky business.

+ The common problems with gutters and how gutter protection works.

+ How gutter guards can help reduce safety risks around the home.

+ Why Blue Mountain Mesh provides superior protection to other gutter guard systems.



IF YOU THINK IT COULDN’T HAPPEN TO YOU; THINK AGAIN

Man falls while cleaning gutters 11 November 2012

“A man’s weekend effort to clean up around his Oyster Bay home, on the Georges River in Sydney’s south, left him in hospital with multiple fractures.

The CareFlight doctor said the 45-year-old man fell an estimated five metres from the roof of his house onto pavers when he slipped while cleaning leaves from gutters.

The fall left the man with multiple fractures to his arms, wrists and face. After stabilisation the man was taken ... to St George Hospital where he remained in a serious but stable condition on arrival.” (CareFlight 2012)

Man flown to hospital after ladder fall18 December 2012

THE Bundaberg AGL Action Rescue Helicopter has airlifted a 46-year-old man to Bundaberg Base Hospital after he fell from a ladder at Miara, 30km north of Bundaberg, yesterday morning.

The man was cleaning leaves from the gutter of an amenities block when he slipped and fell, hitting the ladder before landing on the concrete below. He suffered a laceration to his head and other possible back and head injuries but was in a stable condition. (News-Mail 2012)

Man injured cleaning gutters in Bendigo ahead of rain 29 September 2011

CareFlight doctors work to stabilise a man after a ladder fall.Photo : CAREFLIGHT, Nov 2012

A man was treated by paramedics at Bendigo yesterday afternoon after he fell while trying to clean out gutters.

Advanced life support paramedics were called to the scene just after 5pm and found the 53-year-old man with serious injuries to his face.

Paramedic David Heath said the man was also confused about what had happened. ‘We were told that he went out to get onto the roof to clear out the gutters because of the rain,’ Mr Heath said.

The man’s wife said that she heard the ladder land on the concrete and ran out to find her husband lying face down. The fall would have been about three metres. It appeared as though he had a broken jaw and shoulder injuries. He was then taken by road to Bendigo Hospital in a stable condition (Ambulance Victoria 2012).

Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance. Photo : RICHMEISTER, Mar 2010

AGL Action Rescue Helicopter transports man after gutter cleaning accident. Photo : NEWS-MAIL, Dec 2012



WHAT DO ALL THESE STORIES HAVE IN COMMON?

They highlight what we already know about ladder-related falls from various studies - that it’s men, usually at or nearing retirement age, doing maintenance around the home who are at the greatest risk of being injured or killed by falling from a ladder (Flinders Research Centre for Injury Studies 2007).

Here’s what else we know, courtesy of The Australian National Coroners Information System:

+ on average, 19.4 Australians — mainly men — die each year after falling from a ladder

+ most people who died after falling from ladders were over 50 years old

+ 32 per cent of deaths were in the 70-79 year age group

+ 96 per cent of fatalities were male

+ over 85 per cent of deaths occur in non-occupational activities (ie not at work)

+ 34 per cent of these deaths occur during home maintenance activities (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 2013)

And if those statistics aren’t sobering enough, studies from hospital emergency rooms around Australia show that the incidents of ladder-related falls and injuries are on the rise.

‘Fall on or from ladder’ was the reason for 4,677 patients being admitted in Queensland public and private hospitals between 2005/06 and 2009/10. Older males were a disproportionate volume of these hospitalisations. During this 5-year period up until 2010, males accounted for over 80% (2,958) of patients admitted for injuries relating to a ladder-related fall, with 45.6% of these males being aged 60 years or older (QLD Health 2011).

These findings are repeated in emergency rooms across the country – so why are people (especially men) going up ladders around the home?

PREFERENCE FOR DIY IS COSTING LIVESThere are many reasons homeowners, particularly those in the highest risks group (males, aged 60 and over) are motivated to ‘do it themselves’. In a recent qualitative study, Monash University Accident Research Centre’s Victorian Injury Safety Unit (VISU) conducted 15 focus groups involving 118 persons aged 60 years and older in two Melbourne communities to explore their level of involvement and motivations for engaging in DIY home maintenance tasks. They found:

“The motivations for doing DIY tasks ranged from necessity (for economic reasons) to personal preference to enhance fitness levels, and for the satisfaction and pride that came with successfully completing DIY tasks. Knowing when to give up DIY tasks appeared to be a complex and emotive issue.” (VISU 2006).

You don’t have to fall from too high off a ladder to sustain a serious injury either, with only 1-2 metres being enough to risk fractured limbs, spinal cord damage, severe brain injury or even death as a result. Given the risks, should we just give up on cleaning our gutters altogether?

19.4 Australians - mainly men - die every year after falling from a ladder

Think twice before you get up a ladder to clean your gutters

You don’t have to fall far off a ladder to be seriously injured: 1-2 metres can be enough. Fractured limbs, spinal cord damage, severe brain injury or even death can result.

At least 83 Australians, mainly mean, have died after falling from a ladder over the past five years. Thousands more have been seriously injured while using a ladder for home repairs and renovations, as well as gardening tasks.

Men at or nearing retirement age are in the highest risk category for this type of accident.

DEATH AND INJURY RISKWORKING ON A LADDER

The ACCC makes it clear that using ladders is a dangerous pastime (ACCC 2009)

Photo : RUTHANNE REID, Apr 2009



STILL AN ISSUE THAT CAN’T BE IGNOREDDespite the dangers, gutter cleaning and maintenance is still not an issue that can be ignored. All major insurance companies warn property owners not to be complacent with gutter cleaning, as it keeps gutters clear of debris and is vital to prevent water and other damage to buildings.

While each building is different, all are at risk from water damage. From a minor leak to violently destructive winds or storms, any unwanted water intrusion can significantly impact the value of your home. Overflowing gutters are one of the four most common reasons for water entering homes during storms and high rainfall events. Ensuring your gutters, roof, windows and walls are well maintained is essential to reducing the likelihood of water damage around the home.

Risks of leaving gutters unprotected:1. Blockages leading to flooding of

eaves from gutters

2. Pest and vermin infestation

3. Heavy fuel loads in gutters contributing to spread of fire

4. Unsafe use of ladders to clean out blocked gutters

The main function of a gutter is to remove or transport water away from the roof – either into a drainpipe or water collection and storage system. A gutter does a good job of removing this water, so long as it is properly maintained. Blockages are common and gutters require ongoing maintenance to ensure they can function properly.

Every year, fallen leaves, branches, dirt and debris gets washed off roofs into gutters. This can build up at an alarming rate and can cause damage to the guttering itself or to your property. Left unchecked, debris can clog gutters and prevent water from entering the downpipes. As a result, gutters can overflow and flood the roof cavity, causing extensive damage to roofs, walls, flooring and structural problems at the building’s footings, leading to expensive (and avoidable) insurance claims or repairs.

HOW GUTTERS PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY

Heavy rain and storms can block gutters and lead to water damage inside the home. Photo : KEITH WATSON, Nov 2004; JOE MANLEY, Nov 2009

Guttering also tends to be a haven for pests, including birds, possums and insects, who use gutters as their home and breeding ground. The wetter the climate, the more likely that moss and other build up will occur.

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH BLOCKED GUTTERS Common problems with litter and debris build up in gutters include:

+ Frequent blockages leading to overflow flooding at times of heavy rainfall and storms (see BMM Information Guide – Storm Damage Protection)

+ Reduced water harvest yields (both quantity and quality) at properties where water harvest is desirable.

+ Pest intrusion, with snakes, possums, rats and birds getting access to roof cavities; nesting and breeding in pooled water (mosquitoes); and causing blocked gutters (which in turn

cause overflow flooding) (see BMM Information Guide – Pest Control).

+ Over the longer term leaf litter, debris and trapped water may increase corrosion in gutters, requiring early replacement.

+ Increased risk of spread of fire as a result of ember attack in bushfire-prone areas (see BMM Information Guides – Bushfire Building Compliance or Ember Attack Protection).



Installing a gutter guard can greatly reduce the maintenance activity (time/money) spent on the roof and gutter, the need to work at height and subsequent risk of falls.

Diagram of ski-slope / Over the gutter design

Photo : 1. NEIL CHAMPION, Nov 2010; 2. BRIAN SNELSON, Jul 2006; 3. 500PX, Nov 2011; 4. JAMES GATHANY, CDC, Feb 2006; 5. TED GARVIN, Dec 2007; 6. TEMPORALATA, Nov 2010

What’s lurking in your gutter?

+ Grass and plants growing in gutters and stopping water flow

+ Moss build up

+ Gutter blocked with leaves and debris

+ Pests including possums and birds making nests

Sometimes you can’t see the problem from the ground; and you won’t always notice the overflow until damage is done.

PLANTS AND OTHER PESTS COMMONLY FOUND IN GUTTERS

GUTTER GUARDS: A SAFE AND COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONIf we accept that the gutters still have to be cleaned, is there is a safer, more cost effective way to address this task? As part of their study, the VISU researchers made a number of recommendations to prevent injuries and fatalities from falls around the home. They recommend removing the need to access heights where possible, for example, installing gutter guards (gutter mesh) to reduce the ladder use around the home (VISU 2006).

Installing gutter guards can greatly reduce the maintenance activity spent on the roof and gutter and eliminate the need to work at height several times a year to clear blocked gutters. It provides a long term solution by preventing debris from entering the gutter in the first place. No gutter guard system is maintenance free; however, installing gutter guards greatly reduces the number of times you’ll need to access the roof and gutter for cleaning and maintenance – reducing your exposure to ladders and possible falls.

HOW GUTTER GUARDS WORKOver-the-gutter systems form a physical barrier to prevent leaves and debris from entering gutters. Typically constructed using either steel or aluminium mesh, this form of gutter protection ensures year round low-maintenance protection.

The ski-slope design of over-the-gutter gutter protection systems ensures that leaves and debris are blown off the roof through wind action whilst water is drawn through the mesh into the gutter. This form of gutter protection is highly superior to other in-gutter systems (e.g. gutter coils, foam or brushes) which don’t stop debris from entering the gutter and can lead to a myriad of other problems (clogging, dislodging and risk of falls from DIY installation and need for more regular cleaning and maintenance).

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(Service Central 2012)

SAVE ON REGULAR GUTTER CLEANING How often should you clean your gutters? It really depends on your property.

Do you live in a leafy suburb? Is your home surrounded by trees? If the answer is yes, you may find yourself needing to clean your gutters every three months to prevent them getting clogged with leaves and debris. However, even regular cleaning has inherent risks and can still fail.

A significant storm event or even a few days of windy weather can deposit significant debris onto the roof and gutter, causing blockages. If followed by heavy rain, enormous amounts of water can back up onto the roof, run down behind sidings and flashings, and penetrate to interior walls.

No gutter protection system is completely maintenance free; you will still need to check your gutters every year and flush out the sludge that can damage your gutters if left. However, installing gutter guards greatly reduces the number of times you’ll need to clean your gutters to, on average, once a year. This means that those property owners who would normally undertake gutter cleaning themselves in an attempt to save money will more likely be able to outsource this job to a professional.

Refer to Blue Mountain Mesh Information Guide – Household Savings for a detailed look at the cost savings that can be achieved through installing gutter guards on your home.

Gutters without gutter guards

Gutters with gutter guards

How often you need to clean

Every 3 months

Every 12 months

Average annual cost ($250/clean)

$1,000

$250

REGULAR GUTTER CLEANING COSTS

Installed gutter guards act to extend gutter life by keeping gutters clear of leaf build-up and ensuring gutters dry out quickly after rain. This significantly reduces the potential of the gutter to rust, extending the overall life of the gutter.

All environments are corrosive to some degree, although certain environments create more intense conditions for corrosion than others. This includes areas where there is more water exposure, such as marine or coastal environments. Unmaintained gutters that are left to fill with leaves, debris and water have a higher incidence of rust.

A steel gutter guard has superior strength to other common gutter guard materials including aluminium and plastic. However,

not all steel gutter guards are created equal. Some steel gutter

guard products are formed by stretching sheets of steel and

cutting small holes in it to make ‘mesh’/apertures which leaves a

myriad of edges which are not zinc coated and therefore subject

to rust.

By contrast, Blue Mountain Mesh is manufactured by weaving and

welding steel to form a mesh, before it is put through a process

of hot dipped zinc coating, priming, painting and oven baking

to deliver a coating thickness that provides superior corrosion

resistance, which performs extremely well across a range of

environments in independent test results (see BMM Information

Guide – Corrosion Resistance).

OTHER BENEFITS OF GUTTER PROTECTIONInvest to extend your gutters’ life



Protect your home from natural hazards – storms and bushfire

Severe weather events tend to dominate Australia’s climate. Storm damage is particularly significant, with insurance payouts for storm damage topping the list ahead of cyclones, earthquakes, floods or bushfires (ABS 2010). During these events, poorly maintained roofs and gutters can lead to significant damage and put lives at risk as home owners struggle to clear gutters in dangerous conditions.

At the other extreme, Australia is considered the most fire prone country in the world. Catastrophic bushfire conditions can affect many parts of Australia at different times of the year.

All new buildings built in designated bushfire-prone areas need to comply with the updated Australian Standard for the Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas (AS 3959 2009/Amdt 2011). Under the new standard and building regulations all bushfire prone new buildings need to be guarded by using an ember guard.

A Gutter Guard is designed to minimize the access of debris and leaf litter to the gutters of your home. In a bushfire-prone area, it must :

+ be non-combustible

+ except for being non-combustible there is no other requirement of a gutter guard product

An Ember Guard is designed to limit access of embers into areas of risk, like the roof cavity. It must :

+ be non-combustible

+ have an aperture (or gap) of 2mm.

+ be made of corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium in BAL 12.5 – BAL 29

+ be made of corrosion-resistant steel or bronze in BAL 40 & BAL FZ

An ember guard is not specifically designed to act as a gutter guard, but some gutter guards also meet the requirements to act as an ember guard. Blue Mountain 2mm Superfine All Steel Mesh has been specifically designed to meet the new Australian Standards requirements for the ember guard protection of sheet roofs for all Bushfire Attack Levels (BAL-12.5 clause 5.6.3; BAL-19 clause 6.6.3; BAL-29 clause 7.6.3; BAL-40 clause 8.6.3; BAL-FZ clause 9.6.3-2011).

The 2mm aperture is the prescribed opening to restrict burning debris from entering gaps and igniting buildings. The products have also undergone rigorous, independent testing by the CSIRO to certify that the materials used meet the definition of non-combustible prescribed in the Building Code of Australia, achieving Spread-of-Flame Index of ‘0’. (CSIRO,2009)

Create a no-go zone for pests around the home

A gutter guard is also very effective at preventing birds, vermin and possums from entering the roof space; while eliminating mosquito breeding grounds by ensuring water doesn’t get trapped in the gutter (see BMM Information Guide – Pest Control).

Improve the quality of your rain water collection

For homeowners using rainwater tank systems, it also improves water quality and quantity of rain water harvest by preventing leaves and debris collecting and breaking down in the gutter, and extends the life of gutters by ensuring they dry quickly after rain.

Photo : EMKNOWLEDGE HUB, Oct 2008



IN SUMMARYGutter cleaning may seem like a routine home maintenance task - but combine a ladder, various tools (buckets, hoses, leaf blowers), inappropriate safety equipment and a strenuous activity that involves climbing, carrying and reaching - it’s not hard to see how falls that can result in serious injuries for homeowners are on the rise.

Carrying out the work yourself can be a false economy if you get hurt, find yourself in hospital and unable to go to work. Consider your other options like installing gutter guards on your home. You will reap the rewards very quickly – extending the life of your gutters; protecting the value of your home; and avoiding damage through water intrusion, pests and fire. The list of benefits is long – but surely the biggest benefit of all is your safety, health and wellbeing.

Even with gutter guards, you will still have to check and clean your gutters once a year so consider outsourcing the job wherever possible. If you must go up a ladder, here are some tips:

HOW CAN THE RH INITIATIVE HELP?The RH Initiative is an Australian company driven to help every person and every community make the most of their environmental assets.

We design, manufacture and wholesale high quality and sustainable water, environmental and trade products for Australian and international markets. We work with governments, retailers, distributors and consumers all over the world to find smarter, more innovative solutions to challenges created by our environment, and in doing so, create more sustainable futures.

Our Blue Mountain Mesh advanced gutter protection system offers homeowners protection from a range of environmental hazards, including flooding during storms and ember attack during bushfire.

ABOUT BLUE MOUNTAIN MESHBorn out of fire. The inspiration behind Blue Mountain Mesh’s all-steel gutter mesh came from the most tragic circumstances: watching a man trying in vain to save his family home from a savage bushfire, fuelled by an abundance of leaves and debris in the home’s gutters.

Blue Mountain Mesh products prevent leaves and debris from entering gutters and downpipes. The all steel, fire resistant gutter mesh minimises gutter maintenance and improves the quality of rain water collected for tanks. The proprietary hot dipped zinc coated and oven baked manufacturing process offers superior corrosion and heat resistance, providing superior protection for homes over the longer term.

We look forward to opportunities to help more Australians reduce risk and protect themselves and their greatest assets. For more information on our all steel, custom-made gutter protection products visit www.bluemountainmesh.com.au or call 1800 612 908.

7 easy steps using a ladder at home1. Use a ladder that meets the Australian Standard (AS/NZS 1892). Ask the retailer if you are unsure.2. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety warnings. Before using a ladder, make sure it:

+ is the right height for the job

+ has non-slip feet

+ shows no signs of warping, rust or corrosion

+ has no missing parts

+ is placed on a level, firm footing

+ is securely locked and braced into place.

3. Make sure there are no power lines or exposed electrical wiring near the ladder. Never use ladders during storms, or in rainy or windy weather.

4. Lean the ladder against a wall at a ratio of 4:1 to stop it from falling over. For example, if the ladder is four metres tall, place the foot of the ladder one metre from the wall.

5. When climbing on a ladder: + Always wear enclosed slip-resistant

shoes.

+ Have someone hold the ladder at the base.

+ Climb up the centre of the ladder, holding it with both hands.

+ Carry any tools in a tool belt.

+ Never stand on the tread immediately below the top cap as you may lose your balance.

6. When working on a ladder: + Always grip the ladder with one hand.

+ Work within arm’s reach of the ladder.

+ If you can’t easily reach what you need to, climb down and safely reposition the ladder.

+ Be careful when pulling items from gutters or roofs, as this may cause you to lose balance.

7. Be mindful of individual circumstances. Do not use a ladder if you are affected by medication or a health condition that may cause you to lose balance. Avoid using a ladder if you are alone or cannot get help in the case of an accident.

www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au



REFERENCES

Ambulance Victoria 2011, Man injured cleaning gutters in Bendigo ahead of rain, 29 September 2011, accessed 15 August 2013, <http://www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/About-Us/Media-Centre/News/20110929-Man-injured-cleaning-gutters-in-Bendigo-ahead-of-rain.html>.

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2010, Feature Article 3: Understanding Natural Hazard Impacts on Australia, accessed 7 August 2013, <http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/7d12b0f6763c78caca257061001cc588/00408ced366bb56aca2570de00029f46!OpenDocument>.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 2006, Using a ladder - Safety alert, accessed 8 August 2013, <http://www.productsafety.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/973027/fromItemId/974347>.

Le Grand C and Baxendale R 2013, ‘Fire licks at Melbourne’s northern fringes’, The Australian, 19 February, accessed 7 August 2013, <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/fire-licks-at-citys-northern-fringes/story-e6frg6nf-1226580673790>.

Cassell E and Clapperton A 2006 ‘Consumer product-related injury (3): Injury related to the use of ladders’, Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit (VISU), Hazard Edition No.63 Winter 2006, accessed 14 August 2013, <http://www.monash.edu.au/miri/research/research-areas/home-sport-and-leisure-safety/visu/hazard/haz63.pdf>.

Office of Fair Trading Queensland 2013, 7 easy steps using a ladder at home, accessed 14 August 2013, <http://www.productsafety.gov.au/content/item.phtml?itemId=988765&nodeId=c0238ab8713033cece9a6ad0fe0a0dab&fn=Ladder%20safety%20flyer%20(Queensland%20OFT).pdf>.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/71000-fine-over-wa-workers-roof-fall-20130613-2o6t8.html

Queensland Health 2011, ‘Ladder-related falls and injuries – public and private hospital admitted patient episodes of care in Queensland 2005/06 – 2009/10’ StatBite42 October 2011, accessed 15 August 2013, <http://www.health.qld.gov.au/hic/statbite/statbite42.pdf>.

‘Man flown to hospital after ladder fall’ News-Mail, 18 December 2012, accessed 15 August 2013, <http://www.news-mail.com.au/news/man-ladder-fall/1687183/>.

Service Central 2013, How much does it cost to get your gutters cleaned, accessed 8 August 2013, <https://www.servicecentral.com.au/article/gutter-clean-pricing-how-much-does-it-cost-to-get-your-gutters-cleaned/746/

WHY CHOOSE BLUE MOUNTAIN MESH?

+ Blue Mountain All Steel Gutter Mesh® is hot dipped galvanised, zinc coated steel which provides a corrosion resistant layer.

+ Our zinc coated corrosion resistant steel mesh is strong and durable and will stand the test of time

+ Our entire range is bushfire compliant and conforms to the Australian Standard for the Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas (AS3959-2009) and the updated Australian Standard for the ember guard protection of sheet roofs (AS3959-2009/Amdt 2011).

+ Our unique steel profile ensures our steel mesh lies perfectly flat and means the finished product looks like a seamless addition to your roof.

+ Our mesh fits all gutter profiles and can be adapted for all roof types, custom made and available in a choice of over 30 colours.

+ We offer a 12 year warranty based on minimum performance that we expect from our product. Results from independent tests offer a far longer projected life span with 12 years being the most conservative estimate.

how a gutter guard can save your neck - blue mountain mesh · despite the dangers, gutter cleaning...

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