How to Clean Your Gutters Properly

Don't allow downspouts to get blocked with debris.

Cleaning your gutters is important to maintaining your home. Your gutters divert water runoff from your roof away from your foundation where the water can leak into your basement and swamp foundation plantings, among other damage. Keeping your gutters free from debris ensures water can move freely to the downspouts and away from the house.

Things You'll Need

• Ladder
• Gutter scoop
• Bucket
• S-hook
• Handheld blower
• Waterproof gloves

Instructions

1. Blow off loose leaves and twigs with a handheld blower. If you don't have a handheld blower, you can pick it up and dump in the bucket by hand.

2. Wet down the gutters with a hose or wait until after a rainfall if there is a lot of buildup. Don't attempt to use your hose alone to clean the gutters. You might end up tightly packing the debris in the downspouts.

3. Attach your bucket to the ladder with an S-hook. Make sure you always have at least one free hand to stay balanced.

4. Start near the downspout and use a gutter scoop -- a long, narrow scoop attached to a handle -- to scoop up debris and transfer it to your bucket.

5. Spray out remants of debris with a garden hose. Allow the water and excess debris to flow down downspouts.

Tips & Warnings

• Gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year.

• Make sure you pick a day that isn't too hot, cold or windy.

• Make sure you wear gloves to reduce the chances of injury.

• Stay safe and make sure your ladder is secure.

References

• University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension: Cleaning Gutters, Downspouts, Winterizing
• West Virginia University Extension: Clean Rain Gutters Safely