Gutters are things we don't think about much until they stop working properly. However, a gutter system is vital for protecting your home's foundation from water damage, pests, and mould.
So here are our gutter cleaning methods if they're clogged, overspilling or dirty.
It's important to check and maintain your rain gutters and drains regularly, then repair any issues as soon as you spot them.
That is why I'm sharing my guttering maintenance tips and tricks here and in a YouTube video while I clean and fix my gutters.
It can be super easy and satisfying job for bungalow owners, rather than hiring gutter cleaning experts for gutter cleaning services.
So, if you want to learn how to keep your gutters in tip-top shape, and save yourself some money and hassle, read on!
Jump to:
✔️ Why You'll Love This Project
Here are just a handful of reasons why we think you'll find looking after your gutter maintenance yourself is the best way!
- It protects your roof from water damage and sagging by keeping your gutters clear and working properly
- Keep pests and diseases away by getting rid of stagnant water and debris that can attract unwanted visitors
- Stop leaks and water damage to your walls and windowsills by making sure your gutters move rainwater away from your home and your home's foundations
- Preserves your soil and landscaping by preventing erosion and washout from water overflow
- Avoids devaluing your home as it avoids stains and mold growth on your exterior walls
- Saves money and hassle by avoiding complicated and costly repairs that could result from neglected gutters
- You can enjoy the satisfaction and confidence of doing the guttering maintenance yourself, with my video and tips to help you do a great job and avoid professional gutter cleaning prices
⚒️Tools and Material Notes
You can refer to my shorter printable guide in the how-to card at the bottom of this post. However, I recommend reading the entire post for more detailed tips, tricks, and step-by-step tutorial with images.
Please note that as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links.
To clean and repair your gutters, you will need some basic tools such as:
- Hosepipe with an adjustable spray nozzle to rinse the gutters and flush out any debris - note a pressure washer speeds things up!
- Sturdy ladder that is self-footing and stable to reach the gutters safely on level ground. Note you'll need an extendable ladder for tall buildings or scaffold tower with scaffold boards
- Heavy-duty work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges and dirt - note, you may need long drain gloves for further exploratory work
- Gutter scraper attached to a telescopic extension pole for hard-to-reach places or gutter scoop and a hard bristled brush to remove any stubborn or large pieces of debris from the gutters
- Goggles for eye protection from dust and splashes of gutter debris
- A screwdriver to tighten or loosen any screws or brackets that hold the gutters in place
- Solvent uPVC cleaner to remove any stains or mould from the gutter surface
- Drain pipe hose for a pressure washer which is vital if your gulley drains are blocked and for downspout cleaning
📋 Step by Step Instructions
1. Inspect your gutters to see what work is required. Look for any signs of clogging, damage, sagging, or leakage.
Make a note of any areas that need repair or replacement.
You could also film above your roof with a drone to inspect and tell you where you need to focus on.
2. Set up a secure workspace by placing a ladder on a flat and solid surface, and attaching a bucket with a hook.
Wear protective gloves, goggles, and shoes, and avoid working alone if possible.
3. Clear out the large debris like leaves and twigs by hand or with a rake or brush.
Scoop out any compacted debris with a trowel or gutter scoop, and put it into the bucket or a garden bag.
It may be compostable, where the soil has congregated
4. Clean the gutter in sections by moving the ladder along the gutter and repeating the previous step until you reach the end of the length of the gutter.
Do not overreach or lean over the gutter, as this can be unstable and dangerous.
5. Hose out the gutter with a garden hose to get rid of any remaining debris and fine silt that will hold moisture.
Start from the opposite end of the drainpipe and work your way towards it, using a hosepipe with an adjustable nozzle or a bucket of water.
6. Replace any damaged or unrepairable like-for-like parts, ensuring you copy any angles correctly.
Clean any stained gutters with uPVC cleaner or a mild soap solution, and scrub the gutter with a hard bristled brush or a sponge.
You may find a pressure washer is sufficient enough.
7. Rinse again to wash off the detergent and any remaining dirt.
Make sure the water flows freely through the gutter and the drainpipe.
Check for any leaks or blockages along the length of the gutters with the free flow of water.
8. Check for cracks and holes in the gutter and the drainpipe, and repair them with a suitable sealant or patching material.
You can also use a gutter repair tape or a self-adhesive flashing strip to cover any gaps or splits. or even good old reliable silicone sealant.
9. Inspect the downspouts and make sure they are securely attached to the gutter and the wall.
Clear out any debris or obstructions from the downspouts with a hosepipe or a plumber's snake, and flush them with water.
10. Tighten the screws or brackets that hold the gutters in place, and replace any missing or loose ones.
You can also check the gutter hook brackets that secure the gutters to the fascia board, and replace them if needed.
11. Install a gutter ballon leaf guard or screen to prevent leaves and debris from clogging your gutters again.
You can choose from various types of gutter guards, such as mesh, foam, brush, or reverse curve, depending on your preference and budget.
12. Ensure the water is freely draining away, which may lead to a soakaway or mains drains.
If your drains are blocked, use a drain hose pressure washer attachment to free up any blockages to enable free flowing water to run away from your property.
Important tip: if you don't feel safe in anyway when working at heights, it would be a good idea to consult professional gutter cleaners or at least get a free estimate for their gutter services with their years of experience.
🔨Tool Substitutions
Depending on what you have, here are some other tools you can use:
- Scaffolding - If you feel unsafe on a large ladder, you could hire scaffolding, or if you are having any other work done on the roof and scaffolding in already there, it's a great opportunity to get the guttering sorted then
- A gutter vacuum cleaner to suck out any wet or dry debris from the gutters without using a ladder
- A telescopic gutter cleaner to reach the gutters from the ground with a long pole and a brush or nozzle attachment
- Find the right half gutter clearing tool shape to fit into your gutters and avoid contact with the gutter clips
🦺 Safety Tips
Cleaning gutters is an important but potentially dangerous task, so it is essential to follow some safety tips to avoid accidents or injuries. Here are some of the tips that experts recommend.
- Wear protective clothing and equipment, such as gloves, goggles, long-sleeved shirt, pants, and nonslip shoes. This can prevent cuts, scratches, infections, and falls
- Use a sturdy and stable ladder, and make sure it has a secure footing on a flat and solid surface. Avoid using a stepladder, which can tip over easily. Have someone to hold the ladder for you, or use a ladder stabilizer or stand-off to keep it in place
- Do not overreach or lean over the gutter, as this can cause you to lose your balance and fall. Move the ladder along the gutter and work in small sections. Use a bucket with a hook to collect the debris, or a garden bag to drop it to the ground
- Use the right tools for the job, such as a hosepipe, a gutter scoop, a hard bristled brush, or a uPVC cleaner. Avoid using a pressure washer, which can damage the roof or the gutter. You can also use some tools that allow you to clean the gutters from the ground, such as a gutter vacuum cleaner, a telescopic gutter cleaner, or a half round gutter clearing tool and a bucket so you're not throwing dirt on the ground
- Check the weather forecast, and avoid working on a rainy, windy, or snowy day. Wet or slippery conditions can increase the risk of falling or electrocution. Work on a dry and calm day, preferably in the morning or evening when the sun is not too strong
⚖️ Reducing the Frequency of Future Maintenance
Here are some different ways you can minimise future work to maintain you guttering:
- A gutter guard, leaf guard or gutter screen to prevent leaves and debris from clogging your gutters again. You can choose from various types of gutter guards, such as mesh, foam, brush, or reverse curve
- Check the downpipes are clear and the drain these lead to aren't blocked so the water can flow away freely
- Trimming any overhanging branches or mature trees near your gutters to reduce the amount of leaves and debris that fall into them. This can also prevent damage to your gutters from strong winds or storms
- Cleaning your roof regularly to remove any moss, algae, or dirt that can wash down into your gutters. You can use a broom, a leaf blower, or a pressure washer with a high-pressure nozzles to clean your roof, depending on the type and condition of your roofing material
💡Pro Tips
If you feel that the Guttering you're trying to maintain actually needs replacing, follow these steps.
Fit the new replacement gutters by installing the stop end outlet, the fascia brackets, and the gutter sections. Use a string line or a spirit level to ensure the gutter is aligned and sloped towards the drainpipe. Use sealant or gutter repair tape to fix any leaks or gaps in the joints.
Install the downpipe by attaching it to the gutter outlet and the wall, and securing it with downpipe clips. Use a hacksaw or a pipe cutter to adjust the length of the pipe if needed. Add a diverter to direct the water away from your foundation and prevent erosion or flooding.
Install a gutter guard or screen to prevent leaves and debris from clogging your gutters again. Choose a gutter guard that suits your budget and preference, such as mesh, foam, brush, or reverse curve.
❓ FAQ
You should clean your gutters at least twice a year, preferably in late spring and autumn, to remove any leaves, twigs, and debris that can clog them and cause water damage. Or like us, as soon as you move into a new home
To clean your gutters like a pro, you will need some basic tools such as a hosepipe, a ladder, gloves, goggles, a gutter scoop, and a brush. You will also need to follow some safety advice, such as securing your ladder, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding working alone. You can follow the step-by-step guide that I provided in my previous response, or watch the video from thecarpentersdaughter.co.uk for more tips and guidance.
If you leave your gutters without cleaning them, you may face some serious problems such as roof damage, sagging, leaks, water damage to your walls and windowsills, basement flooding, foundation damage, soil erosion, landscaping damage, pests and diseases, stains and mould, and costly and complicated repairs. Therefore, it is important to maintain your gutters regularly and fix any issues as soon as possible.
The easiest and less intensive way to clean gutters is by hand, using a ladder. However, there are safety concerns to be aware of, such as securing your ladder and making sure the area is risk assessed before you begin. You can also use some alternative tools that do not require a ladder, such as a gutter vacuum cleaner, a telescopic gutter cleaner, or a half round gutter clearing tool, or as mentioned before, if you have scaffolding up for any other work like solar panels.
➕ More Home DIY Projects
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Best Gutter Cleaning How-To That Doesn't Cost Much
Gutters are things we don’t think about much until they stop working properly. However, a gutter system is vital for protecting your home's foundation from water damage, pests, and mould.
So here are our gutter cleaning methods if they're clogged, overspilling or dirty.
Materials
- Water
Tools
- Hosepipe
- Ladder
- Scaffold tower
- Gloves
- Gutter scraper
- Extension pole
- Goggles
- Screwdriver
- uPVC cleaner
- Drain pipe hose
- Bucket
Instructions
- Inspect your gutters to see what work is required. Look for any signs of clogging, damage, sagging, or leakage.Make a note of any areas that need repair or replacement. You could also film above your roof with a drone to inspect and tell you where you need to focus on.
- Set up a secure workspace by placing a ladder on a flat and solid surface, and attaching a bucket with a hook. Wear protective gloves, goggles, and shoes, and avoid working alone if possible.
- Clear out the large debris like leaves and twigs by hand or with a rake or brush. Scoop out any compacted debris with a trowel or gutter scoop, and put it into the bucket or a garden bag. It may be compostable, where the soil has congregated.
- Clean the gutter in sections by moving the ladder along the gutter and repeating the previous step until you reach the end of the length of the gutter. Do not overreach or lean over the gutter, as this can be unstable and dangerous.
- Hose out the gutter with a garden hose to get rid of any remaining debris and fine silt that will hold moisture. Start from the opposite end of the drainpipe and work your way towards it, using a hosepipe with an adjustable nozzle or a bucket of water.
- Replace any damaged or unrepairable like-for-like parts, ensuring you copy any angles correctly. Clean any stained gutters with uPVC cleaner or a mild soap solution, and scrub the gutter with a hard bristled brush or a sponge. You may find a pressure washer is sufficient enough.
- Rinse again to wash off the detergent and any remaining dirt. Make sure the water flows freely through the gutter and the drainpipe. Check for any leaks or blockages along the length of the gutters with the free flow of water.
- Check for cracks and holes in the gutter and the drainpipe, and repair them with a suitable sealant or patching material. You can also use a gutter repair tape or a self-adhesive flashing strip to cover any gaps or splits. or even good old reliable silicone sealant.
- Inspect the downspouts and make sure they are securely attached to the gutter and the wall. Clear out any debris or obstructions from the downspouts with a hosepipe or a plumber’s snake, and flush them with water.
- Tighten the screws or brackets that hold the gutters in place, and replace any missing or loose ones. You can also check the gutter hook brackets that secure the gutters to the fascia board, and replace them if needed.
- Install a gutter ballon leaf guard or screen to prevent leaves and debris from clogging your gutters again. You can choose from various types of gutter guards, such as mesh, foam, brush, or reverse curve, depending on your preference and budget.
- Ensure the water is freely draining away, which may lead to a soakaway or mains drains. If your drains are blocked, use a drain hose pressure washer attachment to free up any blockages to enable free flowing water to run away from your property.
Rip City Roof Cleaning
Great idea! The best budget-friendly gutter cleaning method is a simple DIY approach using tools you likely already have. All you need is a sturdy ladder, gloves, a scoop or small shovel, a garden hose, and a bucket or tarp for debris. Scoop out the gunk, flush the gutters and downspouts with water, and check for leaks or sagging. It’s affordable, effective, and keeps your home protected without breaking the bank!