When it comes to home maintenance, cleaning your gutters and downspouts might not be the most glamorous task, but it’s definitely a necessary one. Hiring a professional can increase gutter cleaning costs significantly, and neglecting it can cause serious problems in the future.
If you neglect cleaning your gutters, the biggest issue you’ll face is water damage. When your gutters have blockages, rainwater can’t properly drain from your shingles. This can cause water to seep into your walls, ceilings, and fascia boards, resulting in mold, mildew, and rotting wood. If left unchecked, water damage can cause structural damage. Standing water in your yard will also harm your landscaping.
Clogged gutters attract pests like mosquitoes, rodents, and birds, who love to build their nests in the debris. If you live in an area with harsh winters, clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, causing even more damage to your roof and gutters.
Regular rain gutter and downspout cleaning is essential for preventing these problems. If you are going to DIY this project — you should clean your gutters at least twice a year — in the spring and fall.
In this article, I’ll share the gutter cleaning tools you’ll need and how to use them to keep your gutters clog-free year-round.
Safety Precautions
When it comes to cleaning your gutters, safety should always be your top priority. Here are a few things to keep in mind for this do-it-yourself project:
- Use a sturdy ladder. Make sure your ladder is on a level surface and is tall enough for you to reach your gutters without overreaching or standing on the top rungs. You may need an extension ladder. If you’re not comfortable on a ladder, have someone else who will handle it for you.
- Wear gloves and eye protection. You never know what kind of debris you’ll find in your gutters, so protect yourself from cuts, scrapes, and other injuries.
- Don’t work alone. It’s always a good idea to have someone else around when you’re working on a ladder. They can hold the ladder steady, pass your tools, and call for help if anything goes wrong.
- Use the right tools. A gutter scoop, garden hose, pressure washer, leaf blower, and stiff brush are all useful for removing debris from your gutters.
- Consider hiring a professional. If you’re uncomfortable working on a ladder or have a multi-story home, it’s best to leave gutter cleaning to the professionals.
- Watch the weather. Plan to clean your gutters on a mild day without disruptive weather patterns. If the forecast calls for precipitation or high winds, reschedule your gutter cleaning for another day.
Supplies Needed
Here’s a list of items and gutter-cleaning tools you should have on hand for the cleaning process:
- Ladder: A sturdy ladder is essential for safely accessing your home’s gutters. Make sure it’s tall enough to reach your gutters without overreaching or standing on the top rungs. If you have a two-story home, this is especially important.
- Work gloves: You’ll want to protect your hands from sharp debris and potential hazards while cleaning your gutters. Choose a pair of durable work gloves that fit well and won’t easily tear.
- Garden hose with spray nozzle: A garden hose with a spray nozzle is a useful tool for flushing out your gutters once you’ve removed debris with a scoop or shovel. Make sure your hose is long enough to reach all parts of your gutters.
- Plastic gutter scoop or small hand shovel: A plastic gutter scoop or small hand shovel will help you remove debris from your gutters efficiently. You can also make your own gutter scoop by cutting the bottom off of an antifreeze jug.
- Bucket or tarp: You’ll need a place to collect debris as you clean your gutters. A bucket or tarp placed on the ground beneath your ladder can help make cleanup easier.
- Gutter guards: Installing gutter guards like GutterBrush Simple Gutter Guard can help prevent debris from accumulating in your gutters in the first place. Consider adding them to your gutters to make future cleanings easier.
Clearing Debris
When it comes to cleaning your gutters, there are a few important steps you’ll need to follow for proper gutter maintenance.
- Start at the downspout and work your way along the gutter. This helps to ensure that you don’t miss any debris and prevents clogs from forming.
- To remove debris from your gutters, a gutter scoop or hand shovel is the best tool for the job. And don’t forget to wear your work gloves to protect your hands! Use the scoop or shovel to loosen and remove any leaves, sticks, or other debris from your gutters.
- As you remove debris, build-up, and gunk, make sure to place it in a bucket or on a tarp that’s been laid on the ground beneath your ladder. This will make cleanup a breeze once you’re finished with the job.
Remember, clearing all the debris from your gutters prevents clogs and keeps water flowing freely through the system. You may need to use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to flush out stubborn debris.
Flushing Downspouts
Once the debris is cleared from your gutters, it’s time to give them a good flush. Flushing your gutters with a garden hose is a key step in ensuring that they’re clean and free of clogs. Here’s what you need to know:
- Use the garden hose to flush the gutter and downspout. Be sure to turn on the water to a medium flow and use the spray nozzle to direct the water toward the downspout.
- Start at the end opposite the downspout and work toward it to ensure that all debris is flushed out of your gutters. This will push any remaining debris toward the downspout and help prevent clogs.
- Check for any clogs and clear them out. If you encounter any, use a gutter scoop or garden trowel to clear them out.
Remember, flushing your gutters is an important step in keeping them clean and functioning properly. You should aim to flush your gutters at least twice a year, more often if you live in an area with a lot of trees or experience heavy rainfall.
Watch: How to Unclog Gutters and Clean Downspouts
Inspect and Repair
With the debris cleared and downspouts flushed, it’s time to inspect your gutters for any signs of damage. Catching and repairing gutter damage early can prevent costly repairs down the road. Here’s what you need to know about inspecting and repairing gutters:
- Check for any signs of damage, such as leaks or cracks —These issues can cause your gutters to malfunction and cause water damage to your home.
- Repair any damage as needed — Depending on the extent of the damage, you may be able to make repairs yourself, or you may need to hire a professional.
- Make sure downspouts are securely attached and positioned correctly — Downspouts that are not properly positioned can cause water to pool around your foundation, which can lead to serious damage.
Remember, regular maintenance and inspections of your gutter system can prevent costly repairs and protect your home from water damage. You should aim to inspect your gutters at least twice a year, more often if you live in an area with a lot of trees or experience heavy rainfall.
When To Call a Professional for Gutter Cleaning
Although gutter cleaning is a simple task that most homeowners complete without hassle, there are some cases when it’s far better to call in an expert gutter cleaning service. There’s no reason to risk your own safety during this process, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help when the situation could place you in harm’s way.
Consider calling a professional when:
- Your home is two stories or greater.
- You don’t own a ladder that reaches your gutters.
- You feel that your ladder is unstable when placed on the ground.
- Your gutter clog is more challenging to clear than you anticipated.
- You discover extensive damage to your gutters.
Final Thoughts
Regularly cleaning your gutters and downspouts is important for maintaining your home and preventing future damage. Stay proactive and make sure debris is removed, and water flows freely through your gutters. Doing so protects your home from water damage, mold, mildew, and pest infestations. Using the right tools and following safety precautions will make the task more manageable and less risky. I recommend hiring a professional if you’re uncomfortable with heights or the job seems too daunting.
Don’t let gutter maintenance fall by the wayside. Schedule cleanings at least twice a year — ideally in the spring and fall — to keep your gutters in top condition. Inspect your gutters for any signs of damage, and make repairs as needed so they function properly. Prioritize gutter cleaning as part of your home maintenance to protect your home and avoid expensive repairs.
Want a pro to handle your gutter cleanup? Find a local gutter company using the form below:
Further Information
- Gutter Maintenance Tips (video)
- How to Clean and Repair Gutters (article)
- How to Unclog and Clean Downspouts (video)
