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How to Clean Your Gutters Safely

Clear leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts with a ladder set up correctly, and know when the job is better left to someone else.

By Creig Boyd Jr., maintenance technician · Updated · Reviewed by Creig Boyd Jr. on

Skill
Intermediate
Time
1 to 3 hours
Cost
$0 to $30
You will need
Sturdy extension ladder or stepladder in good condition, with a ladder stabilizer if possible, Work gloves and safety glasses, Gutter scoop or small trowel, Bucket with a hook, Garden hose with a spray nozzle, A helper to hold the ladder

Clogged gutters send water over the edge, where it can rot the fascia, soak the foundation and cause ice dams in winter. Clearing them is a routine job, but it is also one of the most common reasons homeowners fall from ladders. The way to do it is to take the ladder seriously.

The most important rule: if you are not comfortable on a ladder, or the gutters are higher than a one-story house, hire someone. The cost is small compared with a fall.

Before you start: ladder safety

  • Use a ladder in good condition that is tall enough to reach without standing on the top rungs.
  • Set it on firm, level ground. Never put it on soft soil, ice or something unstable.
  • Set the angle correctly. A common guide is one foot out from the wall for every four feet of height.
  • Have someone hold it, and keep three points of contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) at all times.
  • Do not overreach. Keep your belt buckle between the side rails, and move the ladder instead of leaning.
  • Never use a metal ladder near power lines.
  • Never climb onto the roof. All of this job can be done from the ladder.

Step 1: Dress and prepare

  1. Put on gloves and safety glasses. Gutters hold sharp debris, and sometimes wasps.
  2. Check for wasp nests before you reach in. If you see one, stop and have it dealt with.
  3. Place a tarp under the work area if you want to protect plants or a patio.

Step 2: Scoop out the debris

  1. Start near a downspout and work away from it.
  2. Scoop out leaves and sludge with the gutter scoop into the bucket. Hang the bucket on the ladder, and do not carry it up.
  3. Move the ladder rather than stretching. Take your time.

Step 3: Flush the gutters

  1. Run the hose from the far end toward the downspout, and watch the water flow.
  2. Check that it drains quickly out of the downspout. Standing water means a clog or a gutter that is not sloped properly.

Step 4: Clear a clogged downspout

  1. Run water down it from the top. If it backs up, the clog is lower.
  2. Tap along the downspout to find where the clog is, and try flushing from the bottom with the hose.
  3. If it is still blocked, a stubborn clog may need a plumber's snake or a pro.

Step 5: Look for damage

  1. Look for gutters that sag, pull away from the house, leak at the seams or are rusted.
  2. Check the fascia (the board behind the gutter) for stains and soft spots.

Step 6: Deal with the debris

  1. Bag or compost the leaves and sludge. Do not rake it into the yard beside the foundation, and do not wash it into a storm drain.
  2. Check the downspout outlet at the bottom after you finish, and make sure water moves away from the house.
  3. Put the ladder away and wash your gloves and tools. Wet gutter muck is slippery, and you do not want it on the ladder rungs next time.

Are gutter guards worth it?

Guards and screens can keep out leaves, but not all of them work equally well, and none are maintenance-free. Pine needles, small seeds and roof grit can build up on top of them, and a poorly fitted guard can make overflow worse. If trees overhang your roof, guards may cut the number of cleanings, but plan on checking them at least once a year.

Common mistakes

  • Skipping a helper. Holding the ladder matters.
  • Overreaching. It is how ladders tip.
  • Dumping debris in the downspout. It will clog.
  • Ignoring signs of damage. Fix them early.

When to hire someone

Tall gutters, steep roofs, power lines and heavy damage are jobs for a professional. See the list below.

Stop and call a professional if…

  • The gutters are on a second story or higher, or you would need to reach them from a roof. Do not do this yourself.
  • It is raining, icy, windy, or the ground is soft or uneven. Wait for better conditions.
  • There are power lines near the work area. Keep a ladder far away from them, and call a professional.
  • You feel unsteady on a ladder, or no one is available to hold it. Falls from ladders are a leading cause of home injuries.

Would rather have someone else handle it?

If you are in Essex County, Massachusetts, PrimeFix Solutions does gutter cleaning, winterizing, spring turnover and inspection, and roof snow-load checks.

Ask for a free estimate (978) 417-2042

Full disclosure: PrimeFix Solutions is my own business, so I benefit if you hire them. They do not do regulated trades such as electrical, gas and most plumbing, so for those jobs call a licensed professional.

Common questions

How often should gutters be cleaned?

At least twice a year, in late spring and in late fall after most leaves have dropped. Homes with many trees may need it more often.

Do gutter guards mean I can stop cleaning?

They reduce the work, but they do not eliminate it. Small debris and shingle grit can still build up, so check them once a year.

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