Right up there with washing windows and reorganizing the garage, the home maintenance task I dread the most is to clean second-story gutters. This is largely due to a reasonable fear of heights and a sheer disgust for touching icky things like wet leaves and dirt.
Fortunately, some methods for cleaning second-story gutters keep both of my feet — mostly — on the ground and my hands sludge-free. All you need is a ladder, leaf blower, power washer, or wet/dry vacuum with extensions.
It’s important not to neglect your second-story gutters. Debris buildup can cause clogs, which, if not addressed, can lead to bigger, more costly problems.
“A clogged gutter is a gutter system blocked by debris, such as leaves, twigs, dirt, and other materials,” explains Jeri Goodkin Dausey of Florida Home Management in Bay Harbour Islands, Florida. “Signs of clogging include overflowing water during rainstorms, sagging gutters, and water pooling around the foundation of your home.”
1. By Hand From a Ladder
| Difficulty: Moderate Cost: Up to $600, depending on the supplies you need and your level of blockage Estimated Time: 2 to 4 hours |
With this method, it’s important to practice ladder safety. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reports the number of people injured on ladders each year is more than 500,000, with 300 of these injuries ultimately resulting in death.
My Tips: Buy an extension ladder bucket hanger so you can store your tools in a bucket and easily hang it from your ladder for quick access. You can also use a power washer to blast away debris — but be careful and brace yourself; power washers can cause you to fall from the ladder.
What You Need:
- Extension, telescoping, roof, or combined ladder that reaches at least 15 feet
- Gutter scoop, trowel, or plastic spatula
- Bucket
- Plastic tarp
- Gloves
- Garden hose
- Leaf blower (optional)
- Power washer (optional)
How to do it:
- Safely set up your ladder in a flat, unobstructed space. For complete details on how to do this, refer to our guide on how to clean gutters safely using a ladder.
- Next, you have a few options depending on your blockage. If it’s purely made up of dry material, your gloved hands or a leaf blower can quickly get rid of the clog. For more stuck-on gunk, try the gutter scoop, trowel, or plastic spatula.
- Once all debris has been removed from your gutters, use the spray nozzle on your garden hose to flush them out.
- Check your downspouts for restoration of water flow.
2. Leaf Blower With Gutter-Cleaning Attachment
| Difficulty: Beginner Cost: Up to $400, depending on the supplies you need Estimated Time: 1-3 hours |
This method, which is actually a series of attachments (typically four connectible tubes), extends the reach of your leaf blower by about 12 feet. You can easily find them at your local home improvement store or online.
My Tip: A tall person should be able to clear gutters from the ground this way. However, if you’re like me and stand under 6 feet tall, you may need the help of a step ladder to reach two-story gutters since rooflines are around 20-25 feet high.
What you need:
- Leaf-blower
- Four connectible tubes that reach at least 12 feet
- Step ladder (optional)
How to do it:
- Connect all the tube extensions to your leaf blower.
- Set up your step ladder, if needed.
- Position yourself on the ground far enough away from falling debris
- Turn on the leaf blower, and clear away the clogs.
3. Pressure Washer With Gutter-Cleaning Attachment
| Difficulty: Beginner Cost: Up to $450, depending on the supplies you need Estimated Time: 1-3 hours |
My personal favorite method? A pressure washer affixed to a telescopic cleaning wand because it provides an even longer reach — up to 20 feet — so it’s suitable for homeowners of all heights.
My Tip: Be careful where you aim the pressure washer, as it is powerful; you want to be sure not to accidentally damage any shingles.
What you need:
- Pressure washer
- Telescopic cleaning wand that reaches at least 20 feet
How to do it:
- Connect the wand to your power washer.
- Add the U-shaped gutter cleaning attachment to the wand, and top that off with a spray nozzle.
- Turn the power washer on. Every model varies, so refer to your device’s instructions.
- Move the power washer back and forth within your gutters, and watch as it blasts away all the gunk that’s collected in your gutters over time.
4. Wet/Dry Vacuum
| Difficulty: Beginner Cost: Up to $250, depending on the supplies you need Estimated Time: 1-3 hours |
You can also repurpose your wet/dry vac into a gutter cleaning machine with a gutter vacuum extension kit. This tool can clear your gutters in one of two ways: blowing or suctioning. Just like the leaf blower method, you may need a step ladder since rooflines are generally 20 to 25 feet off the ground.
My Tip: Use this method if you have minimal debris in your gutters, such as dried leaves or acorns. The other methods mentioned above are best for stuck-on gunk.
What you need:
- Wet/dry vacuum
- Gutter vacuum extension kit
- Step ladder (optional)
How to do it:
- To blow out debris, simply connect the extension kit to the exit port of your wet/dry vacuum. To suck the gunk out, attach the extensions to the suction end.
- Turn on your wet/dry vacuum.
- Move the attachment within your gutters to clear debris.
FAQ About Cleaning Second-Story Gutters
I follow the general rule of thumb, which is to clean your gutters in the fall and in the spring, so if it’s been at least a year since you last cleaned your gutters, it’s probably time to clean them again. If you live around a lot of trees, you may need to clean them even more often than once or twice a year.
Other signs that your gutters need cleaning:
• Water is spilling over the sides of your gutters
• Your gutters are sagging
• The siding of your home has water stains/mold stains
• Plant life is growing in your gutters (and wildlife may be, too)
• There’s standing water around your foundation
Not really. Sure, they can help reduce the need for extensive gutter cleaning by keeping out large leaves, twigs, and such, but they don’t prevent smaller pieces of debris from landing inside your gutters. Plus, gutter guards still need cleaning twice per year.
For more on the benefits of gutters (and thus, keeping them clean), read our guide: Are Gutters Necessary on Your House?
Find a Gutter Pro Near You
It will always be a chore to clean second-story gutters. But, with the tips above, it can be easier than you think.
That being said, Dausey recommends hiring a professional to clean your second-story gutters for three main reasons:
- Safety: “Second-story gutters are harder to access, increasing the risk of falls or injury. Professionals have proper safety equipment.”
- Efficiency: “Professionals have the tools and experience to complete the job more thoroughly.”
- Proper Inspection: “A professional can spot potential issues like gutter misalignment, leaks, or damage that a homeowner might miss.”
Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled handymen and handywomen in seconds and leave the rest to us.
Main Image Credit: iStockPhoto
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