How to clean rain gutters. An essential maintenance guide

Learning how to clean rain gutters will not only save you manpower but structural problems that can have serious consequences. Here we bring you a guide on how to do it.

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What is the best thing to clean your gutters with?

There is no such thing as the best product for cleaning your gutters with, it depends on the amount of dirt, grime, and leaves that are accumulated in the gutter. Anything from your hands to a telescopic wand will be your best choice. Just look for what is practical and not dangerous.

How do I clean my gutters myself?

The first thing you will need is a tall, extendable, sturdy, and stable ladder. Place it on a firm surface to avoid wobbling. Ask for help to hold the ladder or any accidents that may occur. Wear comfortable but working clothes, thick pants, boots, gloves, and long sleeve flannel, cleaning gutters is a dirty job and you don’t know what surprises are waiting for you there.

• Use a small plastic shovel, a toy sand shovel also works, or a plastic kitchen spatula because it will not damage the gutters.
• Spread a tarp under the gutters to avoid soiling the house or lawn.
• Once the debris has been removed, use a hose to clean the downspouts and remove any remaining dirt. This will also reveal any water leaks.
• Repair any sagging metal. You can do this by mounting a gutter hanger. Many gutter repairs are do-it-yourself jobs.

What is the average cost of gutter cleaning in my area?

The average cost of clean rain gutters varies from $120 to $300 with an average of $160. This will always depend on the amount of dirt you have, the distance, and the difficulty of cleaning.

Factors to calculate the cost of gutter cleaning

It sounds very easy but gutter cleaning has its complexities, a professional person takes into account the risk of the height, the length, the condition of the gutters, and any possible repairs that come up along the way.

Height of the house

Single-story houses are the easiest to clean. They are also the most economical with an average cost of $155. This may increase due to the slope of the roof and the width of the roof.

Length and condition of gutters

A one-story house may be economical because of the number of stories but perhaps the length of the house is longer than the average house. This type of account is determined by the linear foot, which is the length of each gutter.

Slope

Your roof may have a steeper-than-average slope and should require more labor time, so you may be charged a little more. The same is true if you have a lot of landscaping around it, making it difficult to access.

Gutter accessories and extras

If you have to change downspout pipes, change brasses, corners, caps, and a fix that directly includes the gutters. This will increase the fee, having to put in between 50 and 100 dollars more. In addition, if you do not include a protection system when making these repairs, you will be making a short-term investment. Therefore, it is mandatory to install a protection system

Labor, travel, equipment, and demand

Labor is approximately between $0.85 and $1.20 per linear foot. Materials and equipment to perform the work without additional services range from $22 to $45. They may also include a travel cost if you are not in the immediate area of the cleanup. 

Risk and accessibility

Gutter cleaning is a job that has risks; the fact that a ladder is used indicates that there is a risk factor. The risk factor is the reason the cost doubles to $2 per linear foot or more. Steeply pitched roofs, inaccessible gutters, and multi-story homes have risk factors that increase the cost of gutter cleaning services.

Location

The area in which you live will affect the overall price of gutter cleaning. Labor rates tend to be higher in metropolitan and even suburban areas where the cost of living is higher. There may also be a higher demand and low supply of gutter cleaners where you live, which also drives up the price.

Frequency of gutter cleaning

This is up to each homeowner but ideally should be done every 2 months or when there are very muddy seasons of leaves, storms, or sand. However, the installation of a gutter guard increases the time between cleaning.

Major repairs

As the professional cleaner cleans each gutter, she/he will also inspect the areas that need repair. Any additional repairs or extra cleaning (such as under gutters) will cost extra. This could include replacing gutters and downspouts and installing guards, or fascia repair.

Gutters do not require complicated maintenance to work well. They can become clogged by leaves in the downspouts, which cause water to drain over the top, cascade, and fall down the front of your house. In winter, it may freeze in the gutter instead of draining. These ice-filled gutters are sometimes so heavy that they can fall off the roof.

Keeping the gutters clean is not costly if it leads to any of these problems

• Avoid foundation problems where the foundation cracks or shifts, causing structural integrity problems. Repairing a foundation can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000, and leaving it unrepaired will make it nearly impossible to sell a house.
• Clean rain gutters to prevent leaks or partial or total roof collapse. When water flows properly there is no risk of the ridge line being exposed to water or expanding ice.
• Good cleaning prevents water stagnation and prevents the formation of fungus and mold, causing respiratory illnesses and other health problems. Mold removal can cost between $1500 and $3000.

How do you clean gutters without climbing to the roof?

There are devices to clean the gutters from the ground, without the need to climb up to the roof and cause damage to the tiles. It is a more time-consuming operation but will be safe. A garden ladder or wet and dry vacuum cleaner and useful attachments are usually required. This will be useful as long as they are not completely clogged.

• Using a garden hose fitted with an attachment such as a telescopic water feed pole, or another such tube with a curved end that can be pointed into the gutter.
• Start at the end that is closest to the downspout.
• Spray the entire length of the gutter, then back up to the downspout.
• Water, leaves, and small branches are likely to splash against the gutter’s sides, so dress appropriately.

Cleaning gutters with a wet/dry vacuum

Using a wet/dry vacuum equipped with hoses and curved attachments can reach down to clean clogged gutters from the ground. Home stores and online retailers carry these gutter cleaning kits. Once you’ve removed most of the dirt from the gutters, rinse the gutters and downspout with water from a garden hose.

Cleaning roofs and gutters with a leaf blower

This also works as long as the gutters are thoroughly maintained because if you only remove the leaves but still have dirt and clogs it’s not worth it.

• Set up the ladder so you can work from one end of the gutter to the other, blowing out obstructions as you go.
• Block the downspout first with an old rag or towel to keep leaves out.
• When you’re finished with the blower, hose off any remaining leaves or branches.

Cleaning gutters with a pressure washer

Pressure washers are the best option when a gutter is clogged because they instantly remove any small dirt or clogs that have accumulated. Simply point the fine spray nozzle at the hole and flush the gutter until the water can run freely down the gutter.

Maintaining homes is the way to extend their life, but preventing major maintenance and repairs is a way to save time and money and protect the structure of the house.

Using a gutter screen does not allow leaves to pond in the gutter. Therefore, it is easier to remove leaves from the gutter with a leaf blower or by hand than with a hydro jet.

Learning how to clean rain gutters is not difficult and, if you take the proper precautions, it is safe. As long as you don’t take risks, don’t walk on the roof, and have certain conveniences to do the job, you can always do it yourself.

Written by Vanessa Gallanti. April 26, 2023

Enthusiast about planning, project management, construction materials and technology, and construction. A civil engineer from Los Andes University and a content writer for Kukun.