How To Unclog Gutters And Downspouts

Many people wait until the spring but it s much better to clean out the leaves prior to all the winter snow melt and spring rains.

How to unclog gutters and downspouts.

Gutter clogging is especially likely at certain times of the year such as in the spring when trees are casting seeds and in the autumn when leaves are falling. Gutters and downspouts can get clogged with leaves and debris that hinder the proper operation of the system so keeping them clean and flowing freely is essential. The downspout cage a wire strainer designed to trap debris while allowing water to flow through is located where the downspout intersects the gutter. Step 1 spray the clog.

Start by cleaning the bottom downspout opening. Follow these suggestions to unclog your downspout starting with the easiest options first. Tips on how to unclog a gutter downspout. Remove the guard at the other end of the drain pipe if there is one.

Then climb back up and try rinsing the downspout with your garden hose again. Often this item is bent or out of place. Disconnect the gutter downspout from where it connects to the drain pipe. If you wait until spring or summer the downspouts elbows and drop outlets are usually already clogged.

Tap the side of the downspout. Begin by carefully inserting your garden hose s nozzle into the opening at the bottom of your downspout. Gutter hangers and spikes often slip free from the fascia landing in the gutter. These obstructions catch leaves and twigs.

Turn on a garden hose to its most powerful setting and run water through the drain pipe. Walk down the ladder one rung at a time gently knocking on the side of the downspout as you go. To unclog a gutter downspout try your easiest options first. Late autumn or early winter or whenever the trees are bare is the right time to clean out your gutters.

Expose the bottom downspout opening divert the flow away from any landscape drain and then use a garden trowel to reach up into the opening and remove any clogged leaves and debris that could have accumulated there. Next adjust the water pressure to a high setting and proceed to run the hose. If so read on to learn the basics of unclogging gutter downspouts.