How to clean gutters and check they drain
Clean gutters after the leaves fall and before your wet season, and more often under trees. Scoop out debris from a well-set ladder, flush each run with a hose and confirm water exits the downspout. Set the ladder one foot out for every four feet of height, and hire out two-story homes.
How often to clean gutters
Your trees set the schedule, more than the calendar does. Go by what's around the house and what's coming in the forecast.
| Trigger | What to do |
|---|---|
| Leaves have finished falling | Full cleaning and hose test |
| Before your wettest season | Full cleaning, so spring or monsoon rain has a clear path |
| Trees overhang the roof | Check from the ground between cleanings and clean more often |
| Pine needles, seed pods or cottonwood fluff | Look after each heavy drop |
| Hurricane season approaching | Clear gutters and drains. Ready.gov puts this on its home list |
| Water spills over during a storm | Clean as soon as it's dry and safe |
Walk the house in a good rain once a year, under an umbrella. It's the best inspection you'll get, and you won't need a ladder.
How to clean gutters safely: ladder rules and tools
OSHA's portable ladder rules were written for workers, and they fit this job well:
| Ladder rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Base one quarter of the working length from the wall | One foot out for every four feet up |
| At least 3 feet above the point of support | Needed when you step off onto a roof or other elevated surface |
| Top three rungs | Don't stand on them on an extension ladder |
| Three points of contact | Two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand, while climbing |
| Stable, level ground | Never stack the feet on boxes or blocks |
| Power lines | Look up before you lift it, and avoid metal ladders near lines |
Don't move the ladder while you're on it. Climb down and shift it every few feet, so you never lean out past the rails. Use a ladder rated for your weight and whatever you're carrying.
- Extension ladder and a helper to steady it
- Work gloves and eye protection
- Gutter scoop or a small plastic trowel
- Bucket with a hook, or a tarp below
- Garden hose with a spray nozzle
How to clean gutters and check they drain
- Inspect the ladder and ground
Check for damage, clean mud off the rungs and feet, and test that the ground is firm under both feet.
- Set the angle
Place the base one foot out for every four feet of height, resting on the wall and not on the gutter.
- Start at the downspout
Scoop debris away from the outlet first, so you don't push the clog into the opening.
- Work in short reaches
Stay between the rails with your belt buckle inside them, and climb down to move the ladder.
- Flush each run
Run the hose from the far end toward the downspout. Look for drips at seams and water that pools.
- Test the downspout
Watch water come out at the bottom at full speed. If it backs up, flush from the top, and loosen the lower elbow if you need to clear it from below.
- Check where the water lands
Make sure it flows away from the foundation and doesn't run back toward the house.
Problems to look for while cleaning gutters
While you're up there, look for the signs of trouble that a dirty gutter hides:
- Sagging sections or pulled-out hangers. Standing water adds weight.
- Water that sits after you stop the hose. The run may have lost its slope.
- Leaks at seams or end caps.
- Peeling paint or soft wood on the fascia behind the gutter.
- A heap of shingle granules, which can point to an aging roof. Have a roofer check it.
- A downspout that drains next to the foundation, or a washed-out spot at its base. Move the water away from the house with an extension or splash block.
- Damp basement walls after rain, or standing water near the house.
Clean gutters yourself or hire a gutter cleaning service?
A one-story home on flat ground is a reasonable DIY job if you're comfortable on a ladder and have someone with you. Hire a gutter cleaner or roofer for these situations:
- A two-story or taller home
- A steep slope or uneven ground below the eaves
- Power lines near the roof edge. Call your utility about those. Don't work near them yourself
- Any job where you feel shaky on the ladder
- Bent, sagging or leaking gutters, which need repair and not only cleaning
When you get quotes, ask whether the price includes clearing the downspouts and hauling off debris. Ask for proof of liability insurance too, since the crew will be on ladders at your home. Prices vary by height, length and how full the gutters are, so get more than one.
What homeowners say about cleaning gutters
Before paying for gutter guards, know that owners report mesh guards clogging with seeds and cottonwood fluff, and surface-tension caps overshooting in heavy rain. Fine-mesh designs did best in Consumer Reports testing, as one answer cites. (DIY Stack Exchange)
Where owners disagree: Owners who installed guards report mesh clogged with seeds and cottonwood fluff, gunk building up underneath, and caps that overshoot in downpours or drip ice onto driveways. Guards reduce cleaning, they don't end it. (DIY Stack Exchange)
Gutter cleaning questions
How often should gutters be cleaned?
It depends on your trees and rainfall. Clean them after leaf fall and before your wettest season, and more often if branches overhang the roof.
Is it safe to clean gutters myself?
On a one-story home with firm, level ground and a helper, many owners can. Follow ladder rules such as the 4-to-1 angle and three points of contact, and hire out two-story homes or anything near power lines.
How do I know if my downspout is clogged?
Run a hose into the gutter and watch the bottom outlet. If the flow is weak or the gutter fills while the hose runs, the downspout has a clog.
What you’ll need
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.