How to Clean Gutters & Downspouts: Step‑by‑Step DIY Guide

Why Gutter & Downspout Cleanout Matters

The key role of a performing drainage system is to master the flow of rainwater, ensuring that roof runoff is gathered and discharged well beyond the building's footprint.

Why Clogged Gutters Are Bad for Your Home

Blocked gutters cause rainwater to spill over and gather around your house instead of draining away. This standing water can lead to costly problems for your roof and foundation.

Damage to the Roof

Trapped moisture from blocked gutters is a primary driver of structural decay that may compromise the integrity of your shingles and the surrounding trim. 

Foundation Damage

When clogged gutters overflow, water soaks into the ground and washes away the soil around the house. This weakens the foundation and can cause serious structural problems.

The average cost to have your home repaired after water damage is approximately $3,600. However, if you are experiencing significant foundational problems, it could cost anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000 or more.

In addition to creating safety issues, neglected gutters can also bring health hazards. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), clogged drains promote mold and mildew growth, affecting indoor air quality during warmer weather. 

Signs of Clogged Gutters and Downspouts

See below for the signs showing your gutters are clogged and need your immediate attention.

Overflowing Water and Sagging Gutters

One of the first signs of clogged gutters is water spilling over the sides during a rainstorm. This happens when leaves and debris block the flow to the downspouts, forcing water onto your home’s exterior walls.

Sagging gutters are another indication of a serious problem. When leaves, pine needles, and other debris accumulate in your gutters, they cause a significant amount of weight to build up, which causes the gutters to sag, bow, or separate from your home. Here are some of the indicators of sagging gutters:

• Dips in your gutter lines or bowed areas in your gutters
• Openings in the gap between the gutter and the fascia board
• Water spots on the siding of your home caused by constant overflow
• Areas of erosion surrounding the base of your home where water has consistently been spilling

Slow Drainage or Backflow at Downspouts

Downspout issues display different signs than clogged gutters. Possible signs include water backing up at the downspout connector or leaking through seams. Typically, this problem develops due to debris buildup in the downspout, which restricts water flow.

A slow trickle from your downspout during moderate rain suggests a significant obstruction somewhere in the system. Additional issues arise when using underground downspouts, the warning signs being:

• Puddles of water located close to downspout connectors
• Discoloration of pavement around drain pipes
• Saturated ground located next to the drain pipe outlets 

Backflow is water that flows behind the gutters rather than into the trough. This generally occurs when a space opens between the gutter and the fascia board, often due to improper installation or damage to the gutters. Eventually, the back flow may cause the fascia to rot and create moisture problems in your attic.

Don't wait for a leak to reveal a problem. Schedule an inspection every winter once the trees are bare. This approach will help you to keep your drainage system clear and protect your wallet from the high cost of neglect.

Tools and Prep for Cleaning

Getting the proper materials together, along with all necessary safety equipment, before you begin will help prevent injuries during gutter cleaning and ensure your job is done correctly and efficiently.

Ladder Safety, Gloves, Trowel, Hose, Hose Nozzle, Snake or Wet-Dry Vac

Before you clean your gutters, it is essential to prepare for ladder safety. Approximately 164,000 people go to the emergency room every year due to ladder falls. The ideal ladder should be a good-quality extension ladder that extends at least 3 feet beyond your gutter height. Ladder stabilizers and standoff brackets are designed to provide a safe place to stand on the ladder when using a hose and/or cleaning tool near the top.

The protective gear you use is also essential. Your hands may get scratched by sharp debris in your gutters if you don't wear thick suede gloves while working; safety goggles protect your eyes from objects that may fly into your face.

Hose Flush and Snake for Stubborn Clogs

To begin, you can utilize a garden hose on high pressure to clean clogged downspouts. Attach the hose nozzle to the top of the downspout and let the water pressure remove debris that is clogging it. If you have an extreme case of debris accumulation, then you will need to call a plumber to insert a plumber’s snake into the downspout.

Insert the coiled end of the snake into the downspout and push it slowly while rotating the snake's handle clockwise. The snake will be able to break up the clog as it moves around each bend and turns in the downspout. After you have successfully removed the clog, flush the downspout once again with the hose.

If you are going to add an extension to the downspout for underground drainage, you should disconnect the downspout before inserting the snake. Additionally, you can utilize a vacuum in either suction or blower mode to draw the debris out of the downspout or blow it out of the downspout.

Different types of debris require different approaches. Wet debris may be cleaned using power washers. However, you must use caution when using power washers, as excessive water pressure can damage your gutter system.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

Breaking the gutter-cleaning task into individual steps is effective for ensuring all debris is removed and minimizing the time spent cleaning. By creating step-by-step instructions for cleaning gutters, individuals who have never cleaned them can still clean them professionally without missing any potential problems.

Remove Debris by Hand or Scoop

Clear debris around the downspout first so you have a clear path for removing it. Wear gloves before you start removing large debris, such as leaves, branches, and sticks, by hand. When cleaning out compacted debris, use a plastic scoop or trowel rather than metal tools that can scratch your gutters.

Instead of reaching, move your ladder often to stay safe and balanced while working. Working from the gutters' corners to the center is good because it prevents debris from being pushed into the downspouts. Use an S hook to attach your bucket to the ladder while cleaning the gutters, so you don't have to climb the ladder as much.

Flush Gutter Toward Downspout

After removing larger debris from the gutters, use a spray nozzle on your hose to wash away any remaining dirt or debris. The hose should be placed at the opposite end of the gutter from the downspout, then run toward the downspout. Spray water in the right direction to avoid washing dirt under the shingles.

Detach Elbow to Clear Bottom

The elbow is where most clogs occur. Thus, removing this downspout extension might be a good idea. Before attempting to remove a clog in a downspout with an underground drain system, remove the lower section of the downspout. Put a bucket over the hole of the pipe opening if there is one, because debris may spill into the bucket once the clog has been removed.

How to Break Through Stubborn Downspout Clogs

Connect your garden hose to the downspout outlet and turn on the water at maximum pressure to loosen any clog in the downspout. If you have trouble clearing a clogged downspout with water pressure, try using a plumber’s snake or an auger for your garden hose, inserting it into the downspout and rotating it clockwise. Once you feel resistance while trying to push the snake/auger into the downspout, you can lock the snake/auger by locking the snake/auger’s collar and spinning the snake/auger while continuing to push the snake/auger further into the downspout. To get through more challenging clogs, use a back-and-forth motion to break them up. After you have broken up the clog, pull the snake/auger back out of the downspout.

If your downspout is still not flowing well after using a snake or auger to clear the clog, you should try inserting a bare hose (with all fittings removed from the ends) to help remove any debris and avoid interference with the downspout seam. If your downspout is severely clogged, you may be able to clear it by removing each section of the downspout to allow access to any material that has become stuck deep inside.

Preventive Maintenance Tips

Gutter and downspout preventive cleaning will save you time and money compared to repairing gutters after they become damaged. Regularly scheduled, proactive cleanings can significantly reduce how often you need to clean your gutters and extend their lifespan.

Smart Ways to Reduce Gutter Buildup

Trimming trees is one of the best ways to prevent damage from overgrown branches to your home. Branches that are too close to a home's roofline may scrape against the roofline, break windows, damage roofing materials, and continually clog gutters with debris. Therefore, it would be in your best interest to keep a minimum of 10 feet of space between tree branches and your roofline. Trimming trees before gutter cleaning creates a smooth, efficient cycle for maintaining your home's exterior.

Although gutter guard systems require very little upkeep, they do protect your gutters from debris. They are typically composed of a mesh or screen that allows water to run through but catches most debris. If you are looking for an inexpensive way to prevent debris from entering your downspouts, consider using a downspout strainer, which allows water to flow through while catching debris at the downspout before it gets into your gutters, where cleaning would be difficult.

Twice-Yearly Gutter Cleaning for Foliage-Heavy Climate

Most homeowners will need to have their gutters cleaned two times each year - Spring & Fall. After significant weather events, you should inspect your gutters to determine whether they also need cleaning. The frequency of gutter cleaning is increased when you live in a wooded area, especially where there are pines, oaks, and other trees that produce a large amount of foliage. This includes using a downspout cleaner at all scheduled cleaning sessions to ensure proper water flow throughout the entire gutter drainage system.

The type of environment you live in greatly influences how often you will need to maintain your gutters. For example, deciduous trees shed their leaves during autumn. However, evergreen trees produce needles and cones year-round. In addition, homeowners who live near pine trees often clean their gutters every 3 months as part of regular maintenance.

Professional vs DIY Cleaning

The decision to either perform gutter cleaning yourself or hire someone to do it for you will depend upon your ability to find a balance between how much money you are willing to spend, your own level of concern regarding the risks involved in performing this type of work, and what would best fit into your schedule. Both approaches to gutter cleaning have their advantages depending upon your home and your individual situation.

Cost Estimates

Нou can expect to pay between $150 to $300 for a professional gutter cleaning service. The average price nationwide is about $162 per service. For multi-story houses, you should anticipate paying anywhere from $250 to $320. For single-story houses, prices range from $120 to $240.

You save money on labor by doing it yourself. Labor accounts for about 70% of the total cost of professional gutter cleaning.

When to Hire a Pro

Professional services for gutter cleaning are best suited to you if:

• Your home is a multi-story home (the risk of falling is drastically increased)
• You do not have the correct equipment or training in ladder safety
• There may be physical limitations or a fear of heights that make it unsafe for you to climb.
• Your gutters require extensive cleaning or show signs of damage

While cleaning your gutters, professionals also check for problems and catch them early, helping you avoid costly repairs.

Conclusion

Regular maintenance reduces the problems associated with gutter leakage and lowers long-term repair costs. Trimming trees, installing gutter guards, and keeping downspouts clear all prevent debris buildup. And when there is less debris, gutters stay clear longer.

When deciding whether to hire a professional or do the cleaning yourself, consider how comfortable you are with heights, how much time you have, and how complex your gutter system is. Most single-story homes can be cleaned without professional assistance. Nevertheless, gutters in multi-story buildings are better cleaned with professional help.

Adding gutter cleaning to your regular home care routine is a smart choice that helps avoid costly damage in the future.