How to clean gutters to keep them free from leaves and debris

Knowing how to clean gutters can save you from a world of unwanted issues around the home. Blocked gutters means rainwater won’t be able to flow along the gutter and down the downpipe. This can lead to overflowing gutters with water dripping down to the ground or seeping into the brickwork causing damp and worse, structural issues.

Cleaning gutters is one of the property maintenance hacks every homeowner should know. It’s something you can do yourself with help from this guide. And it's something you shouldn’t avoid, says Laura Nicholson, head of tools & hardware buying at B&Q, “Cleaning your gutters can seem like a tedious and time consuming task, but this small maintenance job helps prevent any bigger problems further down the line.”

How to clean gutters: A step-by-step guide

Laura Nicholson shares, “Autumn is the opportune time to tend to your gutters, given they’re most likely clogged with leaves and other debris. And the steps are simple. Set up your ladder, secure your bucket, collect debris, and give them a rinse.“ We go into more detail below.

You will need a few tools to do the job including a ladder, gloves, a trowel or scoop and a bucket to collect any debris. In addition you will need a garden hose to wash out the gutters, and of course, for your safety a pair of safety glasses like these GENYED Safety Glasses from Amazon.

Laura Nicholson

As B&Q’s head of buying for technical, Laura Nicholson is passionate about forging strong supplier relationships and digging into consumer and market trends to deliver exceptional product offerings, driving customer satisfaction.

1. Set up your ladder

Ideally you want to choose a dry, wind-free day if possible to avoid slippery conditions under your ladder. Position your ladder on a flat stable surface at the correct angle. Your ladder should have an indicator to help with this.

If possible get an extra pair of hands to hold the ladder in place and stop it from slipping. Put both hands on the ladder and place one foot against the bottom of the ladder. Alternatively, use a ladder stopper like this Big Foot Ladder Stopper Mat from Amazon.

2. Remove debris

Start near a downpipe and work towards the closed end. Secure your bucket to the ladder, you can use a hook like this Harris Paint can S-hook from B&Q to attach to the ladder and hold a bucket.

Alternatively, lay down ground sheets to collect any debris from the gutter. Now scoop out the debris using your hands (make sure to wear gloves) or use a gutter scoop like this Sealey Gutter Scoop from Amazon, and place the debris in the bucket, or throw it to the ground.

3. Wash gutter

Now get a garden hose and flush the gutter clean. Check that the down pipe is not blocked. Now is a good time to check for any damage to the guttering and replace. To finish, think about adding gutter covers like this Parkland Gutter Leaf Guard Protection System from B&Q to stop leaves and debris clogging the gutters.

Try these tools to help clean your gutters

Andy Simms

With almost a decade of experience on the front line in construction as a multi-trader, Andy is uniquely placed in the construction industry to help bridge the gap between tradespeople and product managers with his role at MyBuilder.com.

Best way to clean gutters without a ladder?

If you don’t own a ladder or your gutters cannot be accessed via a ladder then you need to look for alternative solutions. Andy Simms, from MyBuilder.com offers a solution, “If you're looking to clean your gutters without a ladder, there are tools online such as the telescopic extendable gutter cleaner. This can help you reach the heights of your gutters without a ladder.”

He adds a word of warning, “However, these tools might not clear all the debris, so hiring an expert is always the best option during autumn once all the leaves have fallen.”

But if you have to tackle your gutters with a telescopic extendable gutter cleaner tool, he says, “Remove leaves, moss, twigs, and debris, section by section. Then to finish the cleaning, use your hose extender pole to flush out the last bits of dirt, starting with the furthest point from the downpipe ensuring efficient drainage.”

One tip is to hold the extendable gutter cleaner tool at an angle to push along any debris. If you hold straight down the jet of water can splash up into the roof space or can send leaves and debris straight up into the air and over you.

How often should gutters be cleaned?

Simms recommends cleaning your gutters twice a year, in the spring and autumn. Why? “This helps clear debris from the winter months and prepares your gutters for heavy rainfall in the spring and autumn.”

To help keep your gutters clean Simms says, “If you live in a single-story property, or your gutters pick up a lot of debris, you might want to consider installing gutter guards. These will save you time and hassle in the long run. For many people, trees might not be the issue however moss can cause similar issues by blocking gutters if not cleaned properly.”

He finishes by saying, “Never neglect cleaning out your gutters.” The reason being, “Blocked gutters are one of the biggest causes of leaks in your home. Worse still, if you haven't cleaned your gutters and damage occurs, your insurance could refuse to pay out.”

Cleaning your gutters is one DIY job you can do yourself, but if you don’t want to do it yourself check out our How much does gutter cleaning cost guide. And, if it needs replacing check our How much does gutter replacement cost guide for more info.