How to Clean Gutters Safely: A Step-by-Step Guide
Cleaning your own gutters is a simple job on a single-storey home if you take it slowly and use a ladder safely. Here is the whole process, from the tools to the final water test. If your home is two or more storeys tall, or the roof is steep, a professional is usually the safer choice.
What you need
- A sturdy extension or step ladder that reaches the gutter without standing on the top steps
- Thick work gloves (gutters hide sharp metal edges and screws)
- A plastic gutter scoop or a small trowel
- A bucket with a hook, or a tarp on the ground for debris
- A garden hose with a spray nozzle
- Safety glasses
Prefer to stay on the ground? See our guide to gutter cleaning tools, including wands and vacuum kits that reach from below.
Set up the ladder safely
Place the ladder on firm, level ground. For an extension ladder, a simple rule is one foot out from the wall for every four feet of height. Keep three points of contact (two feet and one hand) and do not stand above the second step from the top of a step ladder. Move the ladder often instead of reaching to the side. Read our full ladder safety guide before you start.
Step by step
- Start near a downspout. Work away from it so loose debris does not get pushed into the opening.
- Scoop out the debris. Remove leaves, twigs and sludge by hand or with a scoop and drop it into your bucket or onto the tarp.
- Move the ladder. Clean about an arm's length at a time, then climb down and move the ladder along.
- Flush with water. Run the hose from the far end towards the downspout. Water should flow freely and drain away.
- Check the downspout. If water backs up, the downspout is blocked - see how to unclog a downspout.
- Look for damage. Note sagging sections, loose hangers, leaks at the seams or peeling paint behind the gutter.
Tips that make it easier
- Clean on a dry day after a few dry days - dry leaves are lighter and the ladder footing is safer.
- Have a helper hold the ladder and pass up tools.
- Do not use a pressure washer from a ladder; the kick-back can throw you off balance.
- Do not walk on the roof unless you have proper fall protection.
When to call a pro
Call a professional for homes of two or more storeys, steep or slippery roofs, power lines near the gutters, or if you are not steady on a ladder. Read what gutter cleaning costs and the questions to ask before you hire.
Frequently asked questions
Can I clean gutters without a ladder?
Yes, for single-storey homes. Telescopic gutter wands, hose attachments and gutter vacuums let you clean from the ground. They work best on loose, dry debris.
What is the easiest way to clean gutters?
On a low home, the easiest way is to scoop the debris out by hand from a ladder, then flush with a hose. From the ground, a leaf-blower gutter kit or a wet-dry vacuum kit is easiest for dry leaves.
Should gutters be cleaned wet or dry?
Dry is lighter and cleaner to handle, and a dry ground is safer for the ladder. Very wet sludge may need scooping rather than blowing.
Where do I put the gutter debris?
Leaves and twigs can usually go in garden waste or compost. Sludge with shingle grit is better in general waste.