Extension ladder
Use it for: Lets you reach the gutters safely from the ground.
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How to Clean Gutters and Downspouts
To clean gutters and downspouts, remove loose debris by hand or scoop, flush the gutters with a hose, then clear any downspout clog until water runs freely away from the house.
This is a good maintenance job when gutters overflow, water spills near the foundation, or you can see leaves packed in the troughs. Work from a stable ladder, keep the area below clear, and stop if the gutter system is loose or badly damaged.
Before you start: Match any guards, strainers, elbows, or extensions to your gutter size and downspout shape before ordering. Stop if the repair becomes unsafe or unclear.
Safety first
- Use a stable ladder on firm, level ground and do not overreach to the side.
- Wear gloves because gutter edges, screws, and debris can be sharp.
- Avoid this job during rain, high wind, or when the roof edge is wet and slippery.
- Keep people and pets clear of the area below while you work overhead.
Tools you may need
Work gloves
Use it for: Protects your hands from sharp metal edges, grit, and wet debris.
Shop work gloves
Gutter scoop or small plastic trowel
Use it for: Helps lift out packed leaves and sludge without damaging the gutter.
Shop gutter scoops
Garden hose with spray nozzle
Use it for: Flushes remaining debris and helps you find slow spots or clogs.
Shop hose nozzles
Bucket or heavy duty trash bag
Use it for: Gives you a place to collect debris instead of dropping it around the house.
Shop contractor bags
Plumber's snake or drain auger
Use it for: Helps break up a stubborn downspout clog that will not flush out with water.
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Step-by-step fix
Step 1: Make sure cleaning is the right fix
- Walk around the house and look for overflowing gutters, plants growing in the gutter, water spilling over the front edge, or downspouts that drip slowly instead of draining hard.
- Check from the ground for sagging sections, loose fasteners, separated joints, or crushed downspouts.
- Pick a dry day with calm weather so the ladder footing stays solid and debris is lighter to handle.
- Set the ladder on firm, level ground and keep the area below clear of people and pets.
If it works: You have signs of debris buildup rather than a major gutter failure, and you can reach the work area safely.
If it doesn’t: If the gutters are already clean but water still pours behind them or pools at the house, the issue may be slope, loose gutters, missing flashing, or poor grading rather than a cleaning problem.
Stop if:
- Gutters are pulling away from the fascia or look close to falling.
- The ladder cannot be set safely on stable ground.
- You see rotted trim, damaged soffit, or other hidden water damage that needs repair first.
Step 2: Remove loose debris from the gutters
- Put on gloves and start near a downspout so you can clear the heaviest buildup first.
- Scoop out leaves, twigs, seed pods, and mud into a bucket or trash bag.
- Work in short sections and clear the full width of the gutter, not just the top layer.
- If debris is stuck, loosen it gently with the scoop instead of prying hard against the gutter metal.
If it works: The gutter trough is mostly free of loose debris and you can see the bottom along the section you cleaned.
If it doesn’t: If the debris is packed like wet soil, keep scooping in smaller passes until the trough opens up enough to flush.
Stop if:
- The gutter metal cracks, bends easily, or feels too weak to lean debris against.
- You uncover a nest, pests, or anything that makes the area unsafe to handle.
Step 3: Flush the gutters toward each downspout
- Use a garden hose to rinse the cleaned section, starting at the end opposite the downspout.
- Watch how the water moves as it travels toward the outlet.
- Rinse out remaining grit and small debris until the water carries cleanly to the downspout opening.
- Repeat around the house one section at a time.
If it works: Water flows along the gutter and reaches the downspout opening without backing up over the front edge.
If it doesn’t: If water stands in one area after the debris is gone, the gutter may be pitched poorly or sagging and may need adjustment after cleaning.
Stop if:
- Water runs behind the gutter because the gutter is loose or separated from the house.
- A section holds a large amount of standing water even after cleaning and appears structurally out of line.
Step 4: Clear the downspouts
- If water backs up at the outlet, check the bottom of the downspout first because many clogs sit near the lower elbow.
- Run the hose up from the bottom if possible, or flush from the top after the gutter opening is clear.
- If the clog does not move, feed a hand auger or snake carefully through the downspout to break up packed debris.
- Flush again until water exits strongly at the bottom.
- Make sure any extension or splash block sends water away from the foundation.
If it works: Water comes out of the downspout in a steady, strong flow and discharges away from the house.
If it doesn’t: If the downspout still drains slowly, disconnecting an accessible elbow or lower section may be the next move so you can remove the clog directly.
Stop if:
- A downspout joint is crushed, split, or disconnected and cannot carry water properly.
- You cannot clear the clog without forcing tools hard enough to damage the downspout.
Step 5: Clean up strainers, guards, and the ground below
- Remove debris from any downspout strainer or outlet screen so it does not re-clog right away.
- Rinse off simple gutter guards or screens if they are covered with sludge and seeds.
- Bag the debris instead of washing it into a driveway drain or piling it against the house.
- Check that the area below the downspout is not blocked by mulch, soil, or leaves.
If it works: The whole drainage path is open, from the roof edge to the discharge point on the ground.
If it doesn’t: If guards keep trapping debris on top or underneath, they may need adjustment or replacement rather than repeated cleaning alone.
Stop if:
- You find buried extensions, underground drains, or splash areas that are broken and causing water to collect at the foundation.
Step 6: Test the system in real use
- Run water into the highest cleaned section for several minutes to mimic a steady rain.
- Watch the gutter, outlet, downspout, and discharge area at ground level.
- Confirm water stays inside the gutter, moves through the downspout, and ends up draining away from the house.
- Check again after the next real rain if possible, especially at the spots that overflowed before.
If it works: The gutters and downspouts carry water without overflowing, backing up, or dumping water next to the foundation.
If it doesn’t: If overflow or pooling continues after cleaning, the next repair is likely re-pitching, re-securing, extending discharge farther from the house, or repairing damaged sections.
Stop if:
- Water still spills behind the gutter or against the foundation after the system is clean.
- You see active leaks at seams, major sagging, or drainage problems that point to a repair issue instead of a cleaning issue.
Supplies you may need
Basement leak repair supplies on Amazon
Moisture cleanup tools on Amazon
Wall crack patch materials on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Repair Riot may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Verify the repair
- Water flows through each downspout without backing up at the gutter outlet.
- No section overflows at the front edge during a hose test.
- Downspouts discharge away from the foundation instead of soaking the wall or soil next to the house.
- The problem spots stay dry or noticeably improved after the next rainfall.
FAQ
How often should gutters and downspouts be cleaned?
Most homes need cleaning at least once or twice a year. Homes with lots of nearby trees may need it more often, especially after leaf drop or heavy storms.
What is the easiest way to tell a downspout is clogged?
During a hose test or rain, water backs up at the gutter outlet instead of rushing out the bottom. You may also hear the downspout gurgling without seeing much discharge.
Can I just spray the gutters out without scooping first?
Not usually. A hose works best after you remove the heavy leaves and sludge. If you skip that step, you can pack debris tighter into the downspout and make the clog worse.
Why do my gutters still overflow after I clean them?
If they are clean but still overflow, the system may be sagging, pitched wrong, undersized for the roof area, or pulling away from the house. The discharge point may also be too close to the foundation.
Should gutter guards stop me from cleaning gutters?
No. Guards can reduce large debris, but they still need inspection and occasional cleaning. Small seeds, grit, and roof granules can still build up and slow drainage.