Clogged gutters cause water to overflow and pour down your walls, damaging your foundation, fascia, siding, and landscaping. Cleaning them twice a year — spring and fall — prevents thousands of dollars in water damage.
STEP 1: Set Up a Stable Ladder Safely
Place an extension ladder on firm, level ground. Use a ladder stabilizer or standoff arm to keep the ladder from resting directly on the gutters — ladder weight can crush or bend them. Have someone spot you at the base. Never lean beyond arm’s reach.
STEP 2: Scoop Out Debris by Hand
With your first step complete, wearing work gloves, scoop out leaves, twigs, and packed sediment starting at the downspout and working outward. Drop debris into a bucket hung from the ladder or onto a tarp below. A garden trowel or gutter scoop speeds up the process.
STEP 3: Flush With a Garden Hose
The next step builds on everything so far. after removing bulk debris, flush the gutters with a garden hose starting at the end farthest from the downspout. The water should flow freely toward and down the downspout. Watch for pooling — standing water indicates a low spot or sag that needs adjustment.
STEP 4: Clear the Downspouts
To strengthen your results even more, if water backs up at the downspout, it is clogged. Run the hose down the downspout at full pressure. For stubborn clogs, use a plumber’s snake or remove the downspout elbow at the bottom and clear it from below. Ensure the bottom of the downspout directs water at least 4 feet from the foundation.
STEP 5: Check and Repair Gutter Hangers
The finishing touch makes all the difference. inspect the gutter hangers (the brackets that attach the gutter to the fascia board). Tighten any loose screws and replace missing or bent hangers. Gutters should slope slightly toward the downspouts — about 1/4 inch per 10 feet — so water flows and does not pool.
PRO TIPS
Q: How often should gutters be cleaned?
A: Install gutter guards or leaf screens to dramatically reduce how often you need to clean. They will not eliminate cleaning entirely but can extend the interval from twice a year to once a year or less. Micro-mesh guards are the most effective style.
Q: What happens if you never clean your gutters?
A: Add downspout extensions or splash blocks to direct water at least 4-6 feet from your foundation. The most perfectly clean gutters in the world are useless if the downspout dumps water right next to your basement wall.
Q: How far should downspouts extend from the foundation?
A: If you are uncomfortable on ladders, a gutter cleaning attachment for a leaf blower or a telescoping gutter cleaning wand lets you clean from the ground for about $20-30. The results are not as thorough as hand cleaning but far better than skipping the task entirely.
SUPPLIES NEEDED
Extension ladder with stabilizer
Work gloves
Gutter scoop or garden trowel
Bucket or tarp
Garden hose with spray nozzle
Plumber’s snake (for downspout clogs)
Screwdriver for tightening hangers
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