Clean gutters safely
Clear gutters carry rain away from your roof and foundation. The cleaning is simple; the ladder is the risky part, so this guide is mostly about staying safe.
Last reviewed against 3 official sources.
Who this is for
People with a single-story home, firm level ground, and a ladder they are comfortable on. Anything higher, or any work on the roof itself, is for a professional.
How often should I clean my gutters?
No official interval. Ready.gov lists clearing drains and gutters as a step to take before floods. General guidance: check in spring and again in fall after the leaves drop, and more often under trees.
General guidance, not an official interval
What you need
Tools
- A sturdy ladder rated for your weight plus your tools
- Work gloves
- Gutter scoop or small trowel
- Bucket with a hook
- Garden hose
Supplies
- None
Steps
- Decide whether this is a job for youStay on the ground and hire a professional if the gutters are above one story, the ground is soft or sloped, or power lines are nearby.
- Inspect the ladderCheck for loose or missing parts before every use. Do not use a damaged ladder.
- Set the ladder up correctlyBoth feet go on a stable, level surface. For a leaning ladder, OSHA says the base should sit one-quarter of the ladder’s working length out from the wall.
- Climb with three points of contactKeep two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand, on the ladder. Carry tools in a belt or bucket, not in your hands.
- Scoop debris into the bucketWork only as far as you can reach with your body between the side rails. Climb down and move the ladder instead of leaning.
- Flush with the hoseRun water toward each downspout and watch that it drains freely.
- Check where the water goesWater should leave the downspout and run away from the house.
Safety notes
- NIOSH reports that more than 100 people die in ladder falls in the United States each year, and thousands more are hurt.
- Keep ladders and tools at least 10 feet from power lines.
- On an extension ladder, NIOSH says not to stand above the fourth rung from the top.
- Never move a ladder while someone is on it, and do not set it on soft ground, boxes or other unstable bases.
When to call a professional
- Any work that means stepping onto the roof.
- Gutters on a second story or higher.
- Sagging, leaking or damaged gutters and downspouts.
- Power lines near the roof edge.
Sources
- Safe Use of Extension Ladders, fact sheet 3660 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)Occupational Safety and Health Administration · Government
- Falls from ladders are preventable (opens in a new tab)National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (CDC) · Government
- Floods (opens in a new tab)Ready.gov (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) · Government
This guide is general information written in our own words from the sources above. Your owner’s manual and the instructions for your own equipment come first.
Tell it once. It remembers.
General guidance: spring and fall. Hire a professional for anything above one story.