How to Clean Your Gutters 

Gutters play a crucial role in protecting your home, yet emptying them is often neglected. When gutters are clogged with leaves, asphalt granules, debris, and organic buildup, water can overflow and cause damage to your siding and foundation. Regular gutter cleaning helps prevent costly repairs and extends the life of your home.

This guide walks you through how to clean your gutters properly, safely, and effectively, but before we begin, it must be noted that “gutter cleaning” can mean two things. It is generally used to describe the emptying of debris from gutters so that water can flow properly (which is what’s being described here). The term is also sometimes used to describe the removal of dirt, organic growth, and stains from the outer surface of gutters (also known as “gutter brightening”. The latter version of gutter cleaning is not discussed here, but it can be read about in our Cleaning With Chlorine page.

Why Gutter Cleaning Matters

Your gutter system is designed to collect rainwater and direct it through downspouts away, from your home and towards specially selected aread with good drainage. When debris builds up, water has nowhere to go. This can lead to:

• Fascia, siding, brick, and stucco damage (in the short term, algae and black streaks can form, and long term, flowing water can cause physical damage to bricks, just look at how the Niagara river carved out its own gorge… flowing water is abrasive and powerful).
  
  

• Foundation cracks and basement leaks (water pooling around foundations causes hydrostatic pressure)

• Flooding of your yard

• Ice dams in winter
  
  

Most homes should have their gutters cleaned at least twice per year—typically in the spring and fall. Homes surrounded by trees may require more frequent maintenance.

Tools You’ll Need:

Before you begin, gather the proper tools to make the job safer and easier:

• Sturdy ladder (preferably with stabilizing legs)
  
  

• Work gloves
  
  

• Gutter scoop or small plastic shovel
  
  

• Bucket
  
  

• Garden hose with spray nozzle
  
  

• Optional: leaf blower

• Optional: Gutter hook/pole
  
  
  

Never attempt gutter cleaning without proper safety equipment. Falls from ladders are common and serious!

Step 1: Set Up Safely

Place your ladder on level ground and ensure it’s fully stable before climbing. This involves putting it up at the correct angle so that it doesn't tip or slip. Avoid leaning the ladder directly on the gutter, as this can cause bending or damage. A ladder stabilizer or standoff is highly recommended.

Always maintain three points of contact with the ladder and never overreach. Move the ladder frequently rather than stretching sideways.

This article isn’t a replacement for proper working at heights training and assumes you are already familiar with the topic. That is to say, don’t sue us if you fall. 

Step 2: Remove Loose Debris

Start by removing large debris by hand or with a gutter scoop. Leaves, twigs, pine needles, and compacted dirt should be placed into a bucket or dropped onto a tarp below.

Work in small sections, moving along the gutter line methodically. This helps ensure nothing is missed and reduces strain.

If debris is dry and loose, a leaf blower may speed things up, but be prepared for mess and wear eye protection.

The whole process can be sped up with the use of a gutter hook on a pole or broomstick. This tool allows you to pull debris towards you before scooping it up. What this means is that instead of being able to do a 4 foot swath of gutter before repositioning your gutter, you’ll be able to do about 10 feet. This saves a lot of time and a lot of climbing.

Step 3: (Optional) Flush the Gutters

Once the bulk debris is removed, use a garden hose to flush the gutters. This is not necessary if you do a thorough job of scooping and know that the downspouts aren't clogged. If you choose to flush, start at the end opposite the downspout and work toward it. This helps push remaining dirt and fine sediment through the system.

Watch how the water flows. Standing water or slow drainage usually indicates a blockage in the downspout.

Step 4: Clear the Downspouts

Downspouts are a common clog point. If water isn’t flowing freely, check for a small blockage where the gutter meets the downspout. Screws used to affix the downspout can often catch twigs and cause the issue. If this is the cause, remove it easily. If the downspout is clogged further down it becomes much harder.

For stubborn clogs that are in the middle of the downspout, a plumber’s snake in combination with a hose may be required. Use the snake to loosen the material, then use a hose with jet attachment to blast it out. 

Step 5: Inspect for Damage

While you’re up there, you might as well take a few minutes to inspect your gutter system. Look for:

• Sagging or loose sections
  
  

• Cracks or holes
  
  

• Rust or corrosion
  
  

• Loose brackets or fasteners
  
  

Small issues can often be repaired easily if caught early, preventing larger and more expensive problems down the road.

How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?

As a general rule:

• Twice per year for most homes
  
  

• Three to four times per year for homes near tree
  
  

Ignoring gutter maintenance can quickly turn a small chore into a major repair project.

When to Hire a Professional

Gutter cleaning can be dangerous, especially for multi-story homes, steep roofs, or homeowners uncomfortable with ladders. Professionals have the proper equipment, training, and insurance to handle the job safely and efficiently.

Hiring a professional also ensures downspouts are fully cleared and that potential issues are identified early.

Final Thoughts

Clean gutters are essential to protecting your home from water damage. With the right tools, a careful approach, and regular maintenance, you can keep your gutter system working properly year-round. Whether you tackle it yourself or hire a professional, staying on top of gutter cleaning is one of the simplest ways to preserve your home’s value and avoid costly repairs.