Best Way To Unclog Gutters

A garden trowel is your best friend when working to unclog a gutter by hand.

Best way to unclog gutters.

Start by cleaning the bottom downspout opening. Even if the gutter guards work as intended there is still the issue of moss and algae growth. As it does it can block downspouts or break free and clogged them. Gutters should slope 1 4 inch for every 10 feet toward the downspout.

This will indicate the location of the clog. Have a helper turn on the water and check for downspout flow. Check to see if water and debris come out the other end of the pipe. To unclog a gutter downspout try your easiest options first.

As long as a small amount of leaf material makes its way into the gutters it creates the perfect growing environment for lichen and moss. Make sure all the gutters are secure and firmly attached to the house. Inspect each gutter section and the downspout for damage. Walk down the ladder one rung at a time gently knocking on the side of the downspout as you go.

In order to unclog your gutter you will need a garden hose and gloves. Take a hose and place it into the downspout from the top opening where the gutters feed into it. Turn on a garden hose to its most powerful setting and run water through the drain pipe. After you pull out the dry debris use the garden hose to sluice the gutters as it will help to keep the rainwater flowing smoothly.

Step 2 take apart your gutter downspout if spraying the clog with your hose proves unsuccessful use a screwdriver to take apart your downspout at the bends. In addition it will help to keep the weight off the structure of the gutter. If your gutters do not slope properly detach the hangers to adjust the gutters to the proper slope. Disconnect the gutter downspout from where it connects to the drain pipe.

Tips on how to unclog a gutter downspout follow these suggestions to unclog your downspout starting with the easiest options first. If you still haven t identified the location of the clog and you have downspouts that descend below ground level then the clog likely is in an underground pipe. If the downspout is clogged clear it out by packing the downspout opening around the hose with a rag sealing the hose tight. Remove the guard at the other end of the drain pipe if there is one.

This method works the best when the leaves are damp but not soaked the whole way through. Working your way down from the gutter tap the outside of the downspout with a screwdriver and listen for a dull thud as opposed to hollow ring. Use the garden trowel to remove or break up piles of leaves and toss them into a bucket below you. Periodically rinsing your downspout in this manner is a good way to prevent the formation of clogs.

Left unchecked it will continue to grow.