Exterior

Clean gutters and downspouts safely

Every heavy rain, water pours over the front of the gutters like a waterfall, right onto your walkway and foundation. Gutters overflowing is usually a clog, and cleaning them twice a year is one of the cheapest ways to prevent water damage.

Written and reviewed by Grab the Hammer Team · Updated Sep 2026
Clogged gutter with leaves, downspout with extension, and a ladder with a stabilizer arm
How to clean gutters safely: scoop out leaves (1), clear the downspout (2), and send water 4 to 6 feet from the house with an extension (3). A stabilizer arm (4) keeps the ladder off the gutter.

What's actually going on

When gutters clog, rain spills over the edge and lands right next to your house. Over time that water soaks into the soil around the foundation, finds cracks, and ends up in crawl spaces and basements. Clean gutters and a downspout that dumps water well away from the house are some of the cheapest water damage prevention there is.

Why it happens

Leaves and debris

Especially after fall, or from overhanging trees.

A clogged downspout

Debris can jam at the elbow where the gutter meets the downspout.

Wrong slope

Gutters need a slight slope toward the downspout. Sagging sections hold water.

Too much water for the gutter

Big roofs with small gutters can overflow in heavy storms even when clean.

Before you startNever lean a ladder against the gutter itself, and never work near power lines. For two-story homes, hiring out is the safer call.

Let's fix it

0 of 5 done
  1. Set up the ladder rightUse a stabilizer arm so the ladder rests on the wall or roof, not the gutter. Set the base 1 foot out for every 4 feet of height, on firm, level ground. Have someone nearby.
    Extension ladder with a stabilizer arm resting on the roof, base one foot out for every four feet of height
  2. Scoop from the downspout end outwardStart near the downspout and work away, scooping debris into a hooked bucket. Move the ladder often rather than leaning out.
    Gloved hand with a plastic gutter scoop lifting wet leaves into a bucket hooked on the ladder
  3. Flush with a hoseRun water from the far end toward the downspout. Watch for spots where water pools, which means the gutter needs its slope adjusted.
    Garden hose rinsing the gutter toward the downspout, showing water pooling where the slope is off
  4. Clear the downspoutIf water backs up, spray the hose up from the bottom or push a plumber's snake down from the top.
    Hose sprayed up into the downspout from the bottom to push out a clog at the elbow
  5. Check where the water goesWater should exit at least 4 to 6 feet from the house. Add a downspout extension or splash block if it doesn't.
    Downspout extension carrying water four to six feet away from the house foundation

Still not fixed?

If gutters still overflow after cleaning, run a hose into them and watch. Standing water means the slope is off; hangers may need adjusting.

Water running behind the gutter usually means it pulled away from the house, or there's no drip edge under the shingles.

Tip from experienceDo it in late fall after most leaves drop, and again in spring. If you have a lot of trees, gutter guards cut the work down but still need checking once a year.
Time to call a pro if you seeGutters pulling away from the house, rotten fascia boards, or any roof taller than one story that you're not comfortable on.

What a pro charges: Professional gutter cleaning usually costs $120–$300 for a single-story home.

Common questions

How often should gutters be cleaned?

Twice a year for most homes: late fall and spring. More often with overhanging pines.

Are gutter guards worth it?

They reduce cleaning but don't eliminate it. Fine debris still builds up and needs rinsing about once a year.

Why is water getting behind my gutter?

Usually the gutter has pulled away from the fascia, or there's no drip edge under the shingles. That needs repair, not just cleaning.

About the authors

Grab the Hammer Team

We're a small team of home repair writers and editors who test our advice against manufacturer instructions and common code requirements. Our goal is simple: help you fix what you safely can, and know when to call in a pro.

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