How to Unclog Gutters and Downspouts

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Clogged gutters often allow enormous quantities of water to fall right next to your house's foundation. This can cause structural damage and lead to wet or damp basements, dirty or stained siding, leaks and rot at the roof's edge, and iced-over walkways in winter--all of which you'll want to avoid.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Painter's Hook Or S-hook
Garden Hose With Nozzle
Heavy-duty Rubber Gloves
Large Bucket
Ladder With Standoff Bracket
Screwdriver

Step1

If a downspout feeds into an underground pipe, disconnect it before cleaning so debris won't clog that pipe or the drywell into which it typically empties. Use a ladder with a standoff bracket to access the downspout. (Leaning a ladder against an aluminum gutter may ruin it.)

Step2

Clean the gutters and remove any clogs at the downspout that you can reach from the ladder. When you're cleaning by hand, wear heavy-duty rubber gloves and hang a large bucket for debris on your ladder using a painter's hook or an S-hook.

Step3

If the downspout is clogged, try gently inserting the end of a hose into the downspout from the bottom and turning it on fully; if it's clear, do the same from the top. Don't try to force the hose past bends. It may damage the downspout or get stuck.

Step4

If that fails, disassemble the downspout at the bends by removing the retaining screws. Then clear the clogs, which are usually located at bends. Reassemble and rinse gutters.