As water flows from your home’s gutters to your downspouts, leaves and other debris can get stuck and cause clogs. To clear those clogs and clean out your downspouts, first you’ll need to remove the downspout extension. Then, dislodge debris from the top and bottom openings. Use a trowel and garden hose to remove stubborn debris from the downspouts.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to clean your gutter downspouts from top to bottom, including your downspout extension. You’ll have most of the tools you need in your garage or shed, so let’s get to work!
| Project difficulty: Easy Estimated time to complete: 1 to 2 hours Project cost: $25 for all necessary items; tools are not included. |
What You’ll Need
Tools
- Garden hose
- Garden trowel
- Ladder
- Drain snake
- Screwdriver (if necessary)
Supplies
- Work gloves
- Safety goggles
- Garbage bags
Safety First
- Wear safety goggles and thick work gloves for protection while working on this project.
- Check if your ladder can go as high as you need it to, especially if your downspouts extend up to the second storey of your home. You may need an extension ladder if this is the case.
- Always place your ladder on level ground. Ask a friend or family member to assist you while you’re cleaning the downspouts.
Before You Begin
- Cleaning your gutters before unclogging your downspouts will make the process easier.
- Avoid cleaning downspouts after rain. Check the weather forecast so you can clean your downspouts on a sunny day.
Step 1: Remove the Downspout Extension
Before you clean the bottom opening of your downspout, remove the downspout extension if your system has one. Some downspout extensions are screwed in place. If this is the case for your downspouts, use a screwdriver to remove the screws before pulling down the extension.
If your downspout has an underground drain, you may need high-pressure tools to remove the debris. Find out more ways to fix this problem by reading our in-depth guide.
Step 2: Clean the Bottom of the Downspout
Scrape the debris from the bottom opening with the garden trowel. Try reaching as far into the downspout as possible to remove the debris.
Occasionally, gently tap the downspout to dislodge any debris. Then, use a garden hose to rinse the downspout. Spray the water upwards to remove any remaining debris. The water should be clear once the downspouts are unclogged. Reddit user nah-meh-stay shares how they clean the bottom of the downspouts using their DIY hack:
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Once you’ve cleared the debris from the bottom of the downspout extension, knock on the downspout. The areas with no clogs will give a hollow sound, while the clogged areas will emit a solid thud. If you still identify clogged areas on the length of your downspout, it’s time to climb up the ladder to reach the top.
Step 3: Clean the Top of the Downspout
Use a garden hose to dislodge the debris from the top of the downspout. To avoid damaging the downspout, start with the lowest setting on your hose before increasing the water pressure. Spraying water is a good method, but adding some elbow grease by inserting the hose into the downspout to push the debris downward helps.
Sayde, one of the maintenance staff in my apartment complex, has over 10 years of experience in gutter cleaning. He explains how he removes leaves and other debris from the top of the downspout using a garden hose:
“I use a garden hose to spray water from the top of the downspout to dislodge the caked-up dirt and leaves. There has to be a steady stream of water to help remove the debris, especially from the sides of the downspout.”
One of the most common places where a downspout gets clogged is the S-shaped curve that snakes from the top of the gutters downward. Use the same knocking technique from the previous step to determine if that area is clogged. Then, wash and push the debris downward with the garden hose.
Keep an eye on the end of the downspout until you see the water run freely through the downspout. If there is still debris in the water coming out of the downspout, you’ll need to do a bit of sleuthing in the next step.
Step 4: Knock on the Downspout
Even if the downspout isn’t unclogged yet, your trip up the ladder won’t be in vain. As you go down the ladder, knock on the downspout to see if there’s a clog in each step.
When you identify a clogged area, gently knock or tap the downspout to dislodge the debris. Go back to the top of the downspout and spray water with the hose until it is unclogged. Repeat this step on your way down if the downspout is still clogged.
Step 5: Use a Drain Snake
If you’re dealing with a stubborn clog, use a drain snake (also known as a plumbing snake, plumber’s snake, and drain auger) to remove it. Position it on the top or bottom of the downspout, push it as far as you can until you feel resistance–you’ve reached the blocked area. Turn the drain snake clockwise to unclog the downspout.
Afterward, push the drain snake farther to see if there are additional clogs you’ll have to remove. Once you’re done, slowly pull it back to you.
Step 6: Remove Remaining Debris
Once the clog in your downspout is cleared, it’s time to rinse it. Position the hose at the top of your downspout and let the water run. Rinse all sides of the downspout, including the sides, to flush out any remaining debris.
Don’t forget to reattach the screws on the downspout extension and collect the debris in a garbage bag once you’re done. Now that you’ve successfully cleaned your downspouts, water can flow freely and drain from the gutters.
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What to read next: How to Clean Gutters in 5 Steps
Main Image: Downspout clogged with leaves. Photo Credit: Tricky Shark / Adobe Stock
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