Few home maintenance tasks matter more than knowing when and how to clean gutters. It's essential to preventing water damage—two words a homeowner never wants to hear. Your home's gutter system directs water from your roof away from your home and its foundation. If water is allowed to pool and accumulate near your house, it will find its way into the crawlspace or basement. (If you have a finished basement, that can be a disaster.) Damaged or leaky gutters or downspouts can cause water to seep into your home's exterior walls and inside too. "Water damage is costly, so it's much smarter to prevent problems in the first place," says David Flax, president of Window Genie. "A checkup and cleaning twice a year is the best way to ensure your gutters are clear of debris and working properly."
On a heavily treed lot, you may need to clean out gutters even more frequently. "I'm not exaggerating when I say you should probably do it monthly if you live on a wooded lot," says Flax. That applies whether you have deciduous trees and shrubs, which lose their leaves once a year, or evergreens, which shed needles regularly. Sticking to a schedule may help you remember this chore: Clean your roof gutters after the leaves fall in autumn and in spring before summer's heavy storms begin (or whenever you suspect a problem). November and March or April are ideal times.
But what about sites where you have no mature trees or shrubs? Your gutters are probably fine, right? Maybe. A twice-a-year checkup still is recommended because you never know what can end up in your gutter. Storm debris, plastic or other materials from nearby construction sites, birds' nests, dead rodents, tree seedlings, tennis balls, and even a hockey puck are all things Flax has found in gutters and downspouts during cleanouts.
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Here's what you need to know about how to clean a gutter, including why it may be worth it to hire a professional for the job.
How Can You Tell if Your Gutters Need Cleaning?
If you have a multi-story home, you may be able to see some of your gutters from your windows. Sometimes a clog is evident from the ground too. You might be able to see a pile of leaves or pine needles sticking up over the edges of the gutter. But you also can check during a rainstorm. Peek outside or walk around to see if the gutters are flowing well. Water should not be pouring over the sides of the gutters or coming out where downspouts attach to the gutters, says Flax.
Gutters also can start to separate from your house. If that happens, you'll see a small gap between the roofline and the gutter. This can occur because houses settle over time and things move, says Flax. Sometimes gutters have been installed with nails, which eventually work their way out, he adds.
But you don't want water flowing down between the house and the gutter, so it's a sign your gutters some attention. If the gutters are pulling away from the house, you can secure the gutters to the house with screws, which are less likely to pull out. When reattaching, feel around for any mushiness in that area of the exterior wall. If so, you've got a leak that needs professional attention.
How Do You Clean Gutters?
Sure, gutter cleaning isn't glamorous, but it's a necessity. If you feel comfortable on a ladder, you can clean your gutters yourself, says Flax. It's usually fairly easy, but it can take several hours. Unfortunately, the quickest and easiest way to clean your gutters is by hand with an extension ladder and gloves. The old-fashioned way really does clean gutters the best. Here are the gutter cleaning tools Flax recommends:
- Extension ladder
- Standoff ladder stabilizer, which attaches to the ladder to keep it steady and protect your house's surface
- Work gloves
- Gutter scoop, ideally with an extension pole so you can reach farther without having to move the ladder
- Garden hose
- Five-gallon bucket
- A leaf blower
It's also vital to enlist the help of a family member or neighbor. "I cannot stress safety enough," says Flax. "This person should be there to stand at the base of the ladder to spot you and ensure the ladder isn't shifting."
Ladder safety is absolutely critical. First, set up the ladder on a firm surface so it's not wobbling around. Next, remember you should always have three points of contact on the ladder, meaning both feet and one hand touching the ladder at all times, says Flax.
You can reach only so far with both feet securely set on the ladder, so if you're starting to stretch and lean too much, it's time to move the ladder over so you can clean the next section. Also, be sure to wear sturdy shoes such as boots with a heavy lug sole; leather-soled shoes or athletic shoes aren't recommended because they're too slippery.
Once you get up there, start scooping out debris. After you've removed everything, use a hose to rinse and double check the gutters are flowing well. If there seems to be a clog in the downspout, you may need to take it apart. Typically, it's attached with metal straps and screws, so remove it and clear the clog, then put it back.
Can You Clean Gutters From the Ground?
Maybe. While there are some tools that allow you to clean gutters from the ground and without a ladder, such as hoses with extension heads and pressure washer gutter cleaner attachments, you'll still have to scoop out the debris by hand. If there's a clog or something like a tennis ball or plastic, you probably won't be able to blast it out with a hose, says Flax.
Should I Install Gutter Protection?
Adding protective gutter guards isn't a foolproof solution that will keep you from ever having to clean your gutters again. "We see lots of issues with the DIY gutter coverings because the screens typically come in sections and are clipped onto the gutters. But the clips break easily, and the screens blow all over the place," says Flax. "They're not very useful."
Many professional installed gutter protection systems typically are more reliable and may reduce the frequency of cleanouts, especially if you live on a wooded lot. But none of these systems are maintenance free, says Flax. You still need to pay attention to how your gutters are functioning and have your gutters inspected regularly to ensure the system is working as intended.
When Should You Hire a Pro to Clean Gutters?
If you have a health condition, aren't comfortable with heights, don't have the time, or just don't want to deal with the hassle and risks, hire a professional, says Flax. It may even be more cost-effective than doing it yourself. The average gutter cleaning costs about $200, which is typically much more reasonable than DIY costs such as having to rent or buy an extension ladder, then find someplace to store it. Your time is also worth something, and a pro will work much more quickly. You can do a lot of DIY jobs around your house, but there's absolutely no shame in knowing which ones are better left to the pros.
Tools for Cleaning Gutters
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
