Make a list of all your outdoor chores, starting with the easiest ones. That way you'll have a feeling of accomplishment as you work your way down the list. Make sure you have all the materials you'll need before starting each project. You won't want to stop in the middle of a task to hunt for a tool. If the shingles on your roof cover a large portion of your gutters, you can clean the gutters with a narrow stiff-bristled brush such as a wallpaper brush (figure A). Use the brush to sweep out debris when the gutters are dry. Don't try to clean your gutters by flushing them with a garden hose. You'll probably end up clogging the downspout and making a big mess. Instead, clean the gutters when they're dry, and use the hose to flush out any remaining debris. You can create a handy gutter scoop by cutting the bottom out of a 2-quart milk jug (figure B). Check for damage or missing parts as you clean the gutters. At the bottom of your downspout there should be an elbow that directs water away from the house. Elbows are inexpensive and come in several colors. When installing one, use pliers to bend the end of the downspout inward so that the elbow will fit over it (figure C). Secure the elbow with a self-tapping screw (figure D), which doesn't require a pilot hole. Don't lean your ladder against the gutter: install a plastic support piece (figure E) onto your gutter to support the ladder's weight. The support piece provides a permanent access point to your roof and is fastened to the wood underneath the roof using galvanized deck screws. It can also be mounted directly to the gutter. For added ladder safety, consider purchasing a ladder stabilizer (figure F), which locks onto the rungs of your extension ladder. The stabilizer's wide arms help prevent the ladder from shifting side to side.
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