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How to Properly Clean Rain Gutters

November 15, 2018

[Update January 2025: This article has been expanded to include important safety precautions and modern gutter maintenance solutions that have become increasingly popular among homeowners.]

While cleaning out your home’s rain gutters can be an easily forgotten chore, it’s an important one to tackle at least once a year (preferably twice, in the spring and fall). When your rain gutters go without cleaning for too long, it can lead to problems like insect infestation, roof damage, clogged downspouts, damaged landscaping below, and water-damaged basements or crawl spaces caused by water pooling at your home’s foundation.

Before we dive into the step-by-step process, let’s address an crucial aspect of gutter maintenance: safety. Gutter cleaning involves working at height, often on extension ladders, which presents real risks. Never attempt to clean gutters alone – always have someone spot your ladder and assist you. If your home is taller than one story or you’re not comfortable with heights, consider hiring a professional. Additionally, be aware of power lines near your work area and keep all metal tools and ladders well away from them.

For those with physical limitations or safety concerns, there are now several alternatives to traditional manual cleaning. Gutter vacuum systems, which can be operated from the ground, are becoming increasingly popular. These systems use long, extendable poles with vacuum attachments that can reach most residential gutters. While they may not be as thorough as manual cleaning for heavily clogged gutters, they’re an excellent option for regular maintenance.

  1. Check the weather.

    Try to clean your gutters after a few dry days in a row. This will make cleaning out the debris much easier.

  2. Gather your supplies.

    You’ll want to have:

    • Trowel
    • Ladder
    • 2 buckets with wire hooks (to connect them to the ladder while you’re working – one for gathering the debris, and the other for carrying your tools in)
    • Garden hose with nozzle or a gutter-cleaning attachment (such as this one or this one)
    • Work gloves
    • Latex gloves (to be worn under your work gloves to protect your skin in case of wet debris)
    • Safety glasses
  1. Begin cleaning debris. You can start anywhere, but it may be the best to start near the downspout (if you’re new to gutter-cleaning, the downspout is the pipe that connects to your gutter and flows down to the ground, usually located on one of your home’s corners). Scoop out large, loose debris (such as leaves and sticks) with your hands – be sure to wear your work gloves for this. Use the trowel to lift out anything smaller, wet, or packed in.
  2. Spray out the remaining debris. Use the hose and/or the attachment to spray out what’s left of the debris, spraying it towards the downspout so it drains out.

A few points of note:

  • If the debris doesn’t drain out, there’s probably a clog in the downspout. If your downspout runs into an underground drain, unscrew the bottom portion of the downspout. Spray up into the downspout using your hose to loosen any clogs that may be there. Then reattach the bottom portion and spray out the gutters once again.
  • If there’s any standing water leftover, this could mean that your gutters are not sloped properly and may need to be unattached, readjusted, and reattached so that water drains properly.
  • If your gutter has a leak, wait until it’s dry and then use sealant to fix them.

For tech-savvy homeowners, several new innovations are making gutter maintenance easier and safer. Smart gutter monitors can now alert you via smartphone when clogs are forming or when water isn’t flowing properly. While these devices don’t eliminate the need for cleaning, they help you stay ahead of potential problems and time your maintenance more effectively. Combined with quality gutter guards and regular professional inspections, these modern solutions can significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of required cleanings while ensuring your home remains protected from water damage.

And voila – you’ve just cleaned your gutters! Remember, it’s wise to clean them out at least once, but preferably twice a year as the seasons change. You can also help prevent excess debris buildup throughout the year by installing simple gutter screens like these.