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How to Clean Gutters
Clogged gutters cause $5000+ in foundation, fascia, and roof damage. Cleaning is a 90-minute job twice a year. Spring + fall cleaning prevents 99% of gutter-related damage. This walks through ladder safety, scoops vs blowers, downspout clearing, and the gutter-guard upgrade.
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0 of 6 steps completedStep-by-Step Instructions
1 Step 1: Get a stable ladder + helper
Step 1: Get a stable ladder + helper
Most gutter injuries come from unstable ladders. An extension ladder (not step ladder) at the correct angle is mandatory. Best practice: have a second person spot the base.
Warning: Falls from ladders cause hundreds of deaths per year. Set the ladder at a 4:1 angle (1 foot back for every 4 feet up). Never reach more than an arm's length to the side — move the ladder.
Werner D6224-2 24-ft extension ladder
Type 1A, 300-lb rating. Solid pick for 1-2 story homes. ~$160-200.
Little Giant Velocity multi-position
Folds to step ladder OR extends. Compact storage. ~$200-280.
Ladder stabilizer / standoff
Attaches to ladder top, prevents leaning against the gutter (which bends them). ~$50.
2 Step 2: Pick a cleaning method
Step 2: Pick a cleaning method
Three options: hand-scoop (slow, thorough), leaf blower from the ground or roof (faster, dustier), or a power wash (best for caked-on grit but messy).
Hand scoop (best for wet/heavy debris)
Plastic gutter scoop fits gutter contour. Bucket on the ladder. ~$8.
Leaf blower with gutter attachment (fast)
Husqvarna or Stihl leaf blower with curved gutter attachment. Stand on ground, blow leaves out. Don't use on wet matted debris. ~$40 for attachment.
Pressure washer with gutter wand
For caked-on grit. Stand on ground, spray up. Very messy. ~$30 for wand attachment.
3 Step 3: Scoop out all loose debris first
Step 3: Scoop out all loose debris first
Get all leaves and dirt out before flushing. Wet debris is heavy and hard to flush through downspouts. Drop into a tarp on the ground or a bucket on the ladder.
Drop debris on a tarp below
Cheap blue tarp catches everything. Saves walking back-and-forth with a bucket. ~$15.
Bucket-on-ladder method
S-hook the bucket to the ladder rung. Move every few feet.
4 Step 4: Flush with hose, check downspouts
Step 4: Flush with hose, check downspouts
After scooping, run a hose at full flow into one end of each gutter section. Water should rush to and out the downspout. If it backs up, the downspout is clogged.
Run hose full flow toward downspout
Pushes residual debris out. Verifies flow is clear.
Plumber's snake for clogged downspouts
Same drum auger from drain unclogging. Push from the top or bottom of the downspout. ~$30.
Disconnect downspout to access deep clogs
Most downspouts have a coupling 6" from the ground. Loosen the screws, pop apart, clean.
5 Step 5: Install gutter guards (upgrade)
Step 5: Install gutter guards (upgrade)
Gutter guards (mesh or screen) cut cleaning frequency from 2-4×/year to once every few years. Quality LeafFilter guards cost $20-30/foot installed by pro; DIY versions are $2-5/foot.
Gutter Stuff foam inserts (cheapest)
Foam blocks slide into gutters. Cheap and easy DIY. ~$3-5 per foot.
Amerimax Hoover mesh guards (mid-tier)
Stainless mesh, screws into gutter. Best DIY option. ~$8 per foot.
LeafFilter (pro install)
Whole-house install, lifetime warranty. ~$20-30 per foot installed.
6 Step 6: Schedule twice a year
Step 6: Schedule twice a year
Late fall (after leaves drop) and early spring (after the winter mess) are the standard schedule. Areas with lots of trees may need quarterly.
Twice a year: late fall + early spring
Standard schedule. Set calendar reminders for November and March.
Quarterly if heavily wooded property
Year-round leaf-drop properties need more frequent. Adjust based on inspection.
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