Rain gutters are simple, yet necessary, devices that protect your home from rainwater and flood damage. To keep your rain gutters working properly, it is important to clean them at least twice a year. This is especially true in the spring and fall, when fallen leaves, sticks and debris have settled on your roof. Removing them before heavy rain, sleet or snow is imperative so that they don’t settle in your rain gutters. The extra weight could actually pull your gutters down. Clogged gutters also won’t drain right, and might back up causing leaks and water damage.

Regular maintenance will extend the life of your gutters, but at some point, they will need repairing or replacing. This is why you should always start with an inspection. Walk the entire length of your home, and roof if you are safe and comfortable accessing it, and check all gutters for any signs of damage. Look for cracks or splits, rust, mold, water marks, standing water or sagging gutters. These are all definite signs that your gutters need attention, and may need to be repaired or replaced.

Believe it or not, cleaning your rain gutters can be one of the most dangerous chores on your annual maintenance list. Hundreds of people are injured every year by falling off of ladders. You definitely don’t want to end up in that statistic. There are precautions you can take, and methods you can use, to make sure you get your rain gutters cleaned out, safely and efficiently.

The first step to safely cleaning out your gutters is to be prepared. Gather all of the tools you need, and separate them into work buckets accordingly. Inspect your ladder(s) for stability and proper function, and have a partner with you if possible to hold the ladder while you work.

You’ll need to gather a few standard tools to complete the task.

Tools:

  • Ladder(s)
  • Plumber’s snake
  • Two 5 gallon buckets
  • Heavy duty work gloves
  • Latex gloves
  • Safety glasses
  • Trowel or scoop
  • Garden hose with spray nozzle
  • Garbage bags

*Optional – power washer, specialty gutter cleaner hose nozzle

Always be sure to place your ladders on solid ground. You should use a step ladder whenever possible. For 2nd and 3rd floors, you will need an extension ladder. Make sure to check for any power lines, and be sure to follow all operation and safety instructions for your ladders.

Be sure to put on work gloves and eye protection. To keep your hands dry, as well as protected, wear a pair of latex gloves underneath your work gloves. Use one bucket for trash, and another to hold your tools. Starting near a downspout and working your way up the gutter, remove large debris such as leaves and branches by hand. Use a trowel or scoop to remove any compacted rubbish or sludge. Take out the downspout strainers and make sure they are clean as well.

Attach the spray nozzle to your garden hose, and flush out the gutter. Always spray the gutter from the end opposite the downspout. Once you’re done spraying the gutter, turn the pressure all the way up and flush the downspout. If the water doesn’t flow easily, you may have a clog. Run the plumbers snake thru the downspout to remove any clumps that may be stuck inside.

When the gutters and downspouts are clear of debris, the amount of water coming out should be equal to the water being put in. Once you’ve finished cleaning your gutters, you may want to consider adding gutter screens to keep them clean throughout the seasons.

Cleaning your gutters is one of the best ways to keep your house protected from water damage. With the right tools and a few hours, you can safely clean your gutters and keep you home free of harm for years to come.