Clogged gutters do not just overflow. Water spills over the front edge and pools against the foundation, soaks fascia boards until they rot, and in winter backs up into ice dams. Clean gutters are one of the cheapest ways to keep a basement dry.
Set up the ladder properly
Ladder falls send roughly 500,000 people a year in the U.S. to treatment, and gutter work is one of the usual reasons. Get this part right.
Check the ground
Firm, level, and dry. On soft soil, put the feet on a wide board. Never set up on a deck board that flexes.
Use the 4-to-1 rule
For every 4 feet of height to where the ladder rests, the base goes 1 foot out from the wall. Stand at the base with your toes touching the feet and arms straight out: your palms should just reach the rungs.
Fit a stabilizer
A standoff holds the ladder off the gutter so you do not crush it, and spreads the top across the roof edge.
Extend 3 feet above the edge
If you need to step onto the roof, the ladder should extend three rungs above the eave.
Keep three points of contact
Two feet and a hand, or two hands and a foot, at all times. Keep your belt buckle between the rails. Move the ladder rather than reaching.
Cleaning the gutters
Start near a downspout
Work away from it so you are not pushing debris into the opening.
Scoop toward you
Pull debris to the edge and drop it in your bucket or on the tarp. Wet debris is heavy, so empty the bucket often.
Check the hangers
As you go, look for hangers that have pulled loose or spikes backing out of the fascia.
Flush the gutter
Run the hose from the far end toward the downspout. Water should flow steadily and not pond. Standing water means the gutter has lost its slope.
Clear the downspout
Spray down into the top of each downspout. If it backs up, try from the bottom. A plumber’s snake clears stubborn clogs.
What to look for while you are up there
- Gutter seams that drip after flushing: reseal with gutter sealant once dry
- Sections sagging away from the fascia
- Soft, dark or crumbling fascia boards behind the gutter
- Missing shingles or granules piling up in the gutter (a sign of an aging roof)
- Downspouts that empty right next to the foundation; they should discharge at least 4 to 6 feet away
Are gutter guards worth it?
Good ones cut cleaning to once every year or two, especially under oaks and maples. They do not eliminate it. Fine pine needles and shingle grit still collect, and cheap snap-in screens often clog on top. Micro-mesh guards that screw to the fascia perform best.
Common questions
Can I clean gutters from the roof?
On a low-pitched single-story roof in dry weather, some people do. We do not recommend it; leaning over an edge is how falls happen.
How long does it take?
Plan on two to three hours for an average single-story home, longer if downspouts are clogged.
Our guides are general information for typical homes. Codes, permits and conditions vary, so check local rules, and leave gas, main electrical panel and structural work to a licensed professional.
