To clean gutters, set a stable ladder on level ground, scoop debris by hand or with a gutter scoop into a bucket, start at the downspout end, then flush each run with a hose to confirm water flows to the downspout. Finish by running water down every downspout. On two-story homes or steep, wet roofs, hiring a pro is usually safer.
Step by step
Check the weather and the roof
Pick a dry, calm day if you can. Wet moss and needles on the roof edge are slippery, and wind makes tall ladders unstable.
Set up the ladder correctly
Use an extension ladder at a 4-to-1 angle (one foot out for every four feet up), on firm level ground, extending at least three feet above the gutter. A ladder stabilizer keeps it off the gutter itself.
Start at the downspout
Clear the outlet first so water has somewhere to go, then work away from it along the run.
Scoop debris into a bucket
Wear gloves and use a plastic gutter scoop. Drop debris into a bucket hung on the ladder or onto a tarp, not into flower beds.
Clear the roof edge
Brush loose needles and moss clumps off the first few feet of roof so the next rain does not wash them straight back in.
Flush the gutter
Run a hose from the far end toward the downspout. Watch for pooling (a slope problem) and drips at seams and corners (sealant failure).
Flush every downspout
Put the hose in the top of each downspout. If water backs up, the clog is usually at the outlet or the first elbow.
Check hangers and extensions
Look for loose hangers, gaps between gutter and fascia, and make sure every downspout discharges at least three to five feet from the foundation.
Tools you need
- Extension ladder tall enough to reach three feet past the gutter, plus a stabilizer or standoff
- Thick waterproof gloves (gutters hide sharp screws and metal edges)
- Plastic gutter scoop and a bucket with a hook
- Garden hose with a spray nozzle
- Tarp and yard-waste bags
- Safety glasses for debris and splash-back
What is different in the Pacific Northwest
Fir and pine needles pack into a dense, wet mat that does not blow out easily, and moss chunks from the roof add to it. Leaf blowers and gutter wands work on dry leaves but struggle with wet conifer debris, so hand removal is usually needed at least at the downspout outlets.
When to stop and call a pro
- The gutter line is more than one story up or above a slope or deck
- The roof edge is wet, mossy or steep
- You find sagging runs, rot in the fascia, or downspouts that will not clear
- You are working alone with no one to steady the ladder
Frequently asked questions
Should I use a leaf blower to clean gutters?
Blowers work on dry leaves but scatter debris and struggle with wet, packed conifer needles common in the Northwest. Hand scooping plus a hose flush is more thorough.
Can I clean gutters from the roof?
Only on low-pitch, dry roofs with good footing. Leaning over the edge is risky, and wet moss is slippery. A ladder with a stabilizer is safer for most homeowners.
How do I know the gutters are fully clean?
Water should run from the far end to the downspout without pooling and exit freely at the bottom of every downspout.
What do I do with the debris?
Gutter debris is yard waste and can usually go in your yard-debris cart or compost if it is not mixed with roof granules or trash.
Need a hand?
- Gutter Cleaning: Hand-cleaned gutters, flushed downspouts, roof edge cleared and everything bagged and hauled away.
- Downspout Cleaning & Repair: Clogged, crushed or disconnected downspouts cleared and rerouted so water leaves your foundation.
- Gutter Guards: Micro-mesh and screen guards chosen for fir needles, maple leaves and moss, not a one-size pitch.