Of all the various tasks homeowners perform around the home, clearing clogged gutters falls into the category of pure drudgery. Invariably, you’ve found out your house gutters are clogged during a driving rainstorm. It makes more sense to perform this chore as a part of the regular maintenance on your home instead of risking possible damage to your home from clogged downspouts.

Your house gutters function to remove water from the whole expanse of the roof. Rainwater flows into the gutters and if they are clear, moves down the gutter channel into the downspouts to be drained away from your house. Clogged gutters can cause untold amounts of damage to your roof and foundation in the form of flooding from overflow of the gutters. Simply put, the gutters must be kept clear to work properly.

Many homeowners install gutter guards or screens to prevent debris from entering the gutters. While these devices do help limit debris in the gutter, it’s still necessary to check the gutters for smaller debris and silt. Even small debris should be cleaned from the gutters regularly.

House gutters should be cleared at least twice a year, especially after the leaves fall or if trees surround your home. This task is very simple but can get very messy. Cleaning house gutters is a two-person job so enlist a helper to steady the ladder and hand you equipment as required.

Preparation

You’ll be inspecting the entire gutter system on your home so it’s important to make sure you have everything needed to make this job easier. Collect your tools before you climb up and down the ladder. Things you’ll need include:

*Gloves
*Garden hose with a sprayer nozzle
*Extension ladder or step ladder
*Trowel or small garden shovel
*Trash can or trash bags
*Plumbers snake

Clearing the Gutters

Begin by positioning your ladder securely near the drain of the gutter. Wear your gloves since there can be roofing nails and sharp pieces of metal inside the gutters. Climb your ladder and start by removing any gutter screens or caps. Clear large debris first by hand with the trowel or small shovel. Work your way along the gutter away from the drain to prevent pushing debris into the downspout.

Remove as much debris as possible before using the hose. Spray into the gutter to move the silt and small debris down the length of the gutter to the downspout. Keep an eye on the water flow. If your gutters appear to be draining properly, replace your screens and move onto another part of the house.

If the water is flowing very slowly, your downspouts are probably clogged. You can try forcing water directly down the drain to move the clog. If that doesn’t work, remove the curved section of the downspout and insert the plumber’s snake into the pipe to remove the clog. Make sure the downspout is completely clear and that water flows freely.

Inspect your Gutters

This is a great time to inspect your entire gutter system. Look for bent gutters or downspouts. Check to make sure the gutters are firmly attached to the roof edge. If you notice any damage, repair or replace any sections. And don’t forget to reinstall any gutter screens or caps.

{Image by Kahanaboy, Morguefile]